DigameXtra

Announcements

DigameXtra Holiday Schedule- No issue on these days.
Posts scheduled for these days will appear in the next issue.
-Saturday, Dec. 25th, Christmas Day, a Spanish public holiday
-Saturday, Jan. 1st, 2022, New Years Day, a Spanish public holiday
-Thursday, Jan. 6th, 2022, Epiphany, a Spanish public holiday

DoctorLaptop Holiday Schedule: All work by appointment.
I will be closed for all business Friday Dec24 thru Monday Dec27 and again Thursday Dec 30 thru Sunday Jan2.
My winter hours for appointments are 2pm – 8pm, Monday thru Friday.

******* HOLIDAY SEASON 2021 DigameXtra FUND RAISER *******
-Holiday Donation Info-
Cash donations are preferred.
You may drop donations off in person, or drop them in my mailbox beside my door. Both the door and the mailbox have the name HARRIS on them.
Alternatively, you may send me an Amazon ES (Spain) eGift card if you cannot deliver cash to the DigameXtra office.
DO NOT SEND AMAZON UK eGIFT CARDS PLEASE
AmazonES eGift Card Link, you can choose any amount you like on the form: https://www.amazon.es/Cheques-Regalo-Amazon-es-mail-Amazon/dp/B07SS5PFJK/
Send to-
Name: N.J. Harris
Email: digamextra@protonmail.com
Thank you for your support and generosity. -Ed.
Date Daily Tally w/ initials Grand Total
Wed. 22Dec21 €O : (

Just like your morning coffee, what would you do without your morning DigameXtra? Please consider buying me two cups of coffee per month for my efforts, averaging 6hrs a day, 6 days a week! Just a €30 donation would cover you for all of last year!
Do you like all the improvements I made this year? The larger issues, with expanded news and humor sections, the 10 day weather, the videos & more original source translated articles? Do you find the DigameXtra Alerts useful, with breaking Covid-restriction news as soon as it hits the Spanish news outlets? Please vote by making a donation.

Merry Christmas – Ed Sheeran & Elton John
Video Link

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Christmas Bar Crawl- La Cala: Join us all Thursday 23rd Dec for the La Cala Christmas bar crawl. Starts 7pm. FB link

The Centro Cultural Villa de Nerja will host a thirty shows:
-The international presence in the programme begins with the famous Swedish saxophonist Johan Sengard, a member of the legendary group ABBA. In January, the French violinist Thomas Potiron also visits us. In February, the famous jazz group Ytre Soluen returns with the American singer Tricia Boutté. In March, the Finnish clarinettist Antti Sarpilla returns as guest star of the jazz group The Farataos.
-Theatre has an important presence. In January we will have the company Caramala with the Nerjeña Noemí Ruiz. In February, the company Albadulake will bring its theatre-circus version of La Casa de Bernarda Alba. In March, Women’s Day is celebrated with the premiere of Inés, by the company Jóvenes Clásicos, and also International Theatre Day, with Dolores, by Teatro a la plancha.
-Jazz and blues begins in January with the mythical group of the 80s, the Vargas Blues Band. In February, La insostenible Big Band and the Ramírez brothers, members of another legendary group from the 80s, Tabletom. In March, Jazz Ways Group. Flamenco dance opens the February programme with the show Quejido y promesa, and in March we will have the new show by Pilar Soto, Resistiré. Tango also returns with the company La Porteña and its show Alma de Bohemio.
-Classical music concerts begin in January with the Jean-Pierre Rampal Duo, in February with Pablo Alcázar’s guitar and in March with Javier García Moreno’s guitar. We will also have the show Un canto a la poesía, with tenor and piano, and the Promúsica orchestra with a programme of soundtracks. We will end the term with the traditional spring galas of the Municipal School of Music and Dance.
-See the official website for more info https://cultura.nerja.es/category/programacion/
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiahoy.es/articulo/cultura/centro-cultural-villa-nerja-acogera-treintena-espectaculos-enero/20211222084438045486.html

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

Check the DigameXtra Sponsor’s list whenever you need a service.
Landlords, tell your renters about DigameXtra, where they can get overnight answers to questions about local stuff without having to call you!

BluCee Real Estate:
BluCee Real Estate would like to wish all DigameXtra readers a very Merry Christmas!
Thank you to all of you who have entrusted us with your property this year.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday, however and wherever you celebrate it, and a happy and healthy New Year.
Best wishes Michelle, Henny and Sophie.
And a Huge special thank you to Naythan, we really appreciate the hard work you put into produce DigameXtra.
If you are thinking of selling please contact us for a no obligation chat about how we will market your property.
Email: info@blucee.com ; Website: www.blucee.com
We are based in Rincon de la Victoria, now with an office in Nerja, we cover the whole coast line and inland.
BluCee Real Estate are a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown here every day.

WindscribeVPN Pro and Free Versions: A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT! Now only €44 per year when paid annually. Who would you trust, Windscribe VPN based in Canada with state of the art technology, or a VPN from a country with weak infrastructure? Nord VPN is based in Panama and Express VPN is based in the Virgin Islands. The choice is obvious. Windscribe VPN for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, routers and an iOS App. Windscribe provides access to 480+ servers in 51 countries in the Pro Version. Both versions are very fast. Pro version is IPTV, Netflix and P2P friendly! Very simple install and setup. Comes with a full system VPN, and also a browser plug-in VPN (use both to “double-hop” for greater security and additional ad-blocking). Static UK based IP addresses available for maximum access to UK programming. No risk with the three day cash back refund test period. A free version (not for IPTV) is available providing servers in USA, UK, CAN, FR, NOR, SWISS, GER, NL, Hong Kong & Romania. Windscribe sponsors DigameXtra, making a modest donation for every VPN purchased, but only if you use this red link. Click to Get Windscribe VPN Free and Pro – Recommended by DoctorLaptop! We are a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Services: DoctorLaptop would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas & a Merry New Year! We have now entered the Windows 11 era. I anticipate there will be some growing pains as people acquaint themselves with the new Win 11 layout. Once again, as with Win 10, they have scrambled the Settings Section, burying the settings they don’t want you to change under layers of menus. I have a Win 11 PC that I am using to familiarize myself with it all. My contact details are shown every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

Home from Home:
Your home in the Axarquia region prepared for your arrival.
We are a local couple near Lake Vinuela with many years property management experience in the UK, happy to take care of all your holiday home preparation needs.
Homes cleaned and aired, beds made and small maintenance jobs taken care of. Basic supplies can be bought and delivered prior to your arrival if required.
Additional services include:
Holiday changeovers
Vacant holiday home checking service
Private rental inventories prepared and checked with tenants at key handover on arrival and departure.
Contact Kate, Telephone and WhatsApp (+34) 711 003 171
Email: kateathomefromhome@gmail.com Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

Great Deals From the Nerja Household Centre:
-Reduced Table & 4 matching chairs Measurements
150 x 91 x 76cms Price 50€
-Fibremaster Double bed base complete with legs 150 x 190cms Price 45€
-Rug, Grey 160 x 230cms 55€
contact Jackie/nerja 672170429
info at nerja household centre dot com

For Sale, 2 items:
-Antique Sewing Machine, €60
-Electric Fireplace, €75
Buyers collects in El Morche
Piet / Petra, Torrox Costa. Whattsapp: 666332932

For Sale: Quality tv cabinet, quarter plate shelves, casters, size: 37”wide x 21” deep, 28” high. Price: €79 o.n.o. Can deliver!
Contact: Derek. Nerja.
Email: de lo we @ Hotmail.es Tel.952523737.

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

Editor’s Note: I encountered an amazing amount of fake news and contradictory articles while collecting todays news articles. One case of particular interest to us in Spain is that some normally dependable Spanish news sources are mis-representing (outright lying) what actually took place in todays emergency meeting of regional presidents regarding new Covid restrictions, and masking in particular. While these sources are claiming a majority of support for PM’s the new proposed restriction, few, such as sevilla.abc.es and elmundo.es, revealed accurately that this was in fact not the case, “Only seven of 17 autonomies had requested this measure, there was no majority although Sánchez spoke of “very broad consensus.” There was strong opposition from both sides, pro restrictions and anti restrictions, to this moderate approach proposed by the PM. We should find out tonight what new rules we will have for the holidays. (Quote translated from https://sevilla.abc.es/sociedad/abci-gobierno-establecera-obligatoriedad-mascarillas-exteriores-202112221747_noticia.html)

COVID-19

Covid Axarquia- Velez, Corner, Alcaucín, Apiary and Viñuela, the five municipalities of la Axarquía who are at very high risk:
{Translation, summary} 22Dec21
-Axarquia has five municipalities with ” very high risk” coronavirus incidence rates of 500+ . They are Alcaucín (1,404.1), Colmenar (1,114.7), La Viñuela (1,021.9), Vélez-Málaga (598.6) and Rincón de la Victoria (520.8).
-The municipalities at high risk (300 to 500 cases) are Nerja (458.8), Benamocarra (426.8), Frigiliana (424.6), Cómpeta (378.1), Algarrobo (335.6), Benamargosa (325.7), El Borge (325.4) and Torrox (317.7).
-The localities at medium risk (100 to 300 cases) are Periana (291.4), Riogordo (257.1), Moclinejo (239.8), Comares (225.6), Macharaviaya (194.9), Canillas de Aceituno (178.6), Almáchar (165.1), Cútar (162.3) and Totalán (135.7),
-Alfarnate (93.9) is at low risk (50 to 100 cases).
-Only 8 localities in Axarquia have not registered any cases of coronavirus in the last two weeks. These are Alfarnatejo, Árchez, Arenas, Canillas de Albaida, Iznate, Salares, Sayalonga and Sedella.
-The incidence in the Axarquia Health District (which includes Casabermeja) is at 513.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 66.4 points higher than on Tuesday (446.7) and 264.5 points higher than a week ago (248.6). This figure means a very high risk.
-In the Malaga Health District (which includes Rincon de la Victoria, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo and Totalan, in addition to Malaga city and Almogia) the incidence is 641 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 56.6 points more than Tuesday (584.4) and 346.3 points above a week ago (294.7).
-A new death has occurred in the region in the municipality of Alcaucín.
-With regard to the new positives in the last 24 hours, the following have been reported: 78 in Vélez-Málaga; 20 in Rincón de la Victoria; 11 in Nerja; 8 in Torrox; 6 in Colmenar; 5 in Alcaucín; 4 in Frigiliana; 3 in Benamocarra and La Viñuela; 2 in Algarrobo and Cómpeta; and 1 in Canillas de Aceituno, Comares, El Borge, Periana and Moclinejo.
Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/velez-rincon-alcaucin-colmenar-y-la-vinuela-los-cinco-municipios-de-la-axarquia-que-estan-en-riesgo-muy-alto/

SPAIN

PM Pedro Sánchez says the move to restore outdoor masking will be approved on Thursday: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez has announced to an emergency meeting of regional presidents that on Thursday (23 December) an Extraordinary Cabinet meeting will approve a decree law to make the use of face masks compulsory outdoors, again.
Although there will be exceptions, such as for the practice of sports, in principle, the Government’s plan is to make the use of the coronavirus protection measure mandatory in most circumstances and regardless of whether or not the 1.5 metres safe social distance can be maintained. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/sanchez-makes-masks-20211222174306-nt.html

UK

Britain exceeds 100,000 daily COVID-19 cases for the first time: Britain reported more than 100,000 new daily COVID-19 cases for the first time since widespread testing was introduced, with 106,122 on Wednesday compared with 90,629 on Tuesday.
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has driven a surge in cases in the last seven days, with the total rising by 643,219, or 59%, according to government data. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-reports-record-106122-new-covid-19-cases-2021-12-22/

EUROPE

Fourth COVID-19 shot needed, says German health minister: BERLIN, Dec 22 (Reuters) Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Wednesday that a fourth vaccination will be necessary in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic due to the more contagious Omicron variant.
He said that Germany has ordered 80 million doses of a vaccine made by Biontech specifically targeting Omicron and should arrive in April or May.
Germany has also ordered four million doses of the newly approved vaccine Novavax (info at https://www.novavax.com/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-candidate-updates)- seen as more acceptable to vaccine sceptics – and 11 million doses of the new Valneva shot, which is waiting for marketing authorisation, Lauterbach said. Full article: http://news.trust.org/item/20211222130815-29zh3

LOTTERY

Gordo prize in Spain’s national Christmas lottery: The number 86148 has been drawn as the Gordo – the top prize in Spain’s Christmas Lottery Draw. Holders of the lucky number will get 400,000 euros for each décimo they hold.
Spain’s national Christmas lottery draw rained down big prizes on the Costa del Sol. As well as the major 10-million-euro windfall in San Pedro Alcantara several ‘decimos’ for some of the other main prizes were sold in Benalmádena, Torre del Mar and Malaga city.
The 42833, the first of the two Fourth Prizes, with a prize of 200,000 euros to the series, has been widely distributed and, among other places throughout Spain, a tenth was also sold in the administration located in Calle del Mar, 62 L-1A, in Torre del Mar.
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/national-christmas-lottery-20211222140841-nt.html

Bonoloto: The result of the Bonoloto de this Wednesday, December 22nd is: 10, 19, 20, 37, 45 and 46, being the complementary number the fifteen and the refund on 7. Source: https://spainsnews.com/bonoloto-draw-for-wednesday-december-22-2021/

SPORTS

USA cricketers defeat Ireland by 26 runs in T20 contest: The United States scored a famous and deserved T20 cricket triumph over Ireland on Wednesday to get the most important series in their history off to the best possible start.
A brilliant 65 from Gajanand Singh helped the hosts reach a competitive 188 for 6 in their 20 overs and some disciplined bowling from Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan helped keep the Irish at bay to secure an opening victory in the five-game set, the first USA home series ever against a Test playing nation.
Ireland had never lost to an American side coming into the clash, thrashing them four times in T20 World Cup qualifier tournaments from 2010 to 2015. But the visitors were distinctly second best in Florida as the US notched their best-ever win against a Test playing nation in the Twenty20 format. Photo:ADHIKARI AFP. Full article: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211222-usa-cricketers-defeat-ireland-by-26-runs-in-t20-contest

OTHER

Copy Videos From YouTube? The major record labels believe that YouTube rippers are the most significant piracy threat on the Internet: These sites, which can be used for a variety of purposes, are used by some to convert free YouTube videos into MP3/MP4 files for downloading onto their devices. That is stealing files you have no right to copy. The RIAA and several of its members have taken legal action to curb this threat. They previously sued YouTube-MP3, the world’s largest ripping site at the time, which resulted in the site shutting down in 2017.
The RIAA listed 1,618 copyrights and argued that $50,000 per copyright infringement is appropriate. In addition, it asked for $1,250 per DMCA violation, bringing the total to $82,922,500.
Judge Buchanan concludes that these amounts are appropriate, given the music companies’ lost profits and advertising revenue, as well as the finding that the YouTube rippers willfully and repeatedly facilitated copyright infringement. Full article: https://torrentfreak.com/judge-recommends-83-million-piracy-damages-award-against-youtube-rippers-211220/

TikTok unseats Google and Facebook as the most visited website in 2021: In somewhat surprising news, TikTok.com took over as the most visited website, over Google.com. This all comes from Cloudflare, which ranks traffic for sites worldwide each year. Typically, the top five websites are Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple and Netflix. Sometimes Netflix and Amazon flip-flop, but other than that, the order is generally the same. This year, however, TikTok took over. After being number seven last year. Full article: https://www.androidheadlines.com/2021/12/in-2021-tiktok-dethroned-google-as-the-most-visited-website.html

US Covid Relief Programs A Disaster- $100Billion Stolen: Nearly $100 billion at minimum has been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs set up to help businesses and people who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, the U.S. Secret Service said Tuesday.
Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud. Full article: https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pandemics-us-secret-service-9d5c43814ef2c1ffb45c2a6f4e13faa9

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Spain Coronavirus Data from Spain’s Ministerio de Sanidad, Official Covid-19 Pages:
https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/situacionActual.htm
AND
https://cnecovid.isciii.es/covid19/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

COVID-19 VIRUS HOTLINE: Information hotline for those who suspect they may have the coronavirus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should stay at home and dial 900 400 061 or 955 545 060 – and only call 112 in an emergency.

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Humour Section

Free Comic Strips provided by https://comics.azcentral.com/

Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)

Fun & Games

National Geographic Photo of the Day: Click Here
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Click Here
Word of the Day: Click Here
Quote of the Day: Click Here
Fact of the Day: Click Here
Born Today: Click Here
Today in History: Click Here
Today’s Front Pages, worldwide: Click Here
Daily Crossword Puzzle: Click Here
Daily Mail UK- Daily Sudoku: Click Here

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Weekly Markets
Monday: Torrox Costa
Tuesday: Nerja, Salobrena
Wednesday: Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo Costa
Thursday: Velez Malaga, Torre del Mar, Frigiliana
Friday: Almunecar, Salobrena, La Herradura- Summers only
Saturday: Competa, Mezquitilla@Algarrobo behind the Sala Ottowa
Sunday: Velez Malaga, Nerja Car Boot

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

Local News in English, The Sur: http://www.surinenglish.com/
Spain National News in English, El Pais: https://elpais.com/elpais/inenglish.html
EU News in English, EuroWeekly: https://www.euroweeklynews.com
Local Weather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/es/torre-del-mar/306652/weather-forecast/306652
Bus Info: https://www.alsa.com/en/web/bus/our-destinations/regional
Currency Converter: http://www.currency-converter.com/
Internet Speed Test: http://beta.speedtest.net/
Local Bank Holidays: http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php UK,Newspaper Front Pages and Worldwide Newspapers All On One Site: https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/front-pages.cfm

DigameXtra Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DigameXtracom-100456328093689/ and https://www.facebook.com/Digame-Torrox-Blog-106444724153160/
DoctorLaptop’s Homepage: https://doctorlaptop-repairs.webnode.com/

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DigameXtra No. 2142 Wednesday, Dec. 22nd, 2021

On December 22, 2021December 22, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

Christmas Time – Cliff Richard
Video Link

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Something to smile about: Today the days begin to get longer. Yesterday, Dec 21st, was Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the official start of Winter.

New Years Eve Party Friday Dec 31st: Kizzy Caribbean Kitchen
Free Entry & Entertainment from 9pm
Normal Service In Play All Day & Night
Top Floor, El Zoco, Calahonda 29649 Mijas FB link

Events Cancelled- Message from Torrox Town Hall: We regret to announce that due to the current meteorological forecasts we have to cancel the Christmas Holidays events scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
We are working to distribute these activities between the FiestasPreNochevieja scheduled for December 29 and 30 and the CarteroReal on January 3 and 4.
FB link

Lux Mundi Torre del Mar Events:
-December & January – Centre Closing Times. Closed Wednesday Dec 22nd,13:00 and reopening for the coffee morning on the Dec 31st, except for Church Services. Also closed on Jan 1st thru to re-opening on Friday Jan 7th.
-Friday Dec 31st- Old Year 2021 & New Year 2022. Celebration with a toast and the traditional grapes. Tickets at reception. Limited space! Time 12.00.
-In the New Year we continue with our usual groups. Craft group on Mondays and art group on Wednesdays. Time 10.00 to 13.00.
-Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – “Our Shop” is open with clothes for the winter season and also household goods. Time 11.00 to 13.00.
– Every Friday – Coffee Morning. Come and enjoy meeting and catch up with friends. Check out our Book shop, hundreds of second-hand books waiting to be read. CDs and DVDs too. Time 11.00 to 13.00.
-Thursday Jan 20th– Coach Excursion to Marbella and Plaza Mayor/McArthur Glen Designer Outlet. We invite you to join friends on an excursion to Marbella Old Town. Tickets €19 Euros, or €16 with Friends of Lux Mundi card.
Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, Torre del Mar, Avda. Moscatel 1”I”, (Jardines Viña Malága/Antigua Casa de la Viña), Torre del Mar, 29740. Open mornings only Monday and Wednesday 10.00 till 13.00 and Fridays 11.00 – 13.00. Gradually we will re-open usual activities so please come or phone us for further information. Tel: 952 543 334.

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

Nik of all Trades- Services available for home, garden and office:
-Gardening – from weeding to landscaping, stonework (walls, paths, etc) a speciality. Transport and tools all provided by me, my time can be hired in 3 time slots of 4, 6 and 8 hours at a cost of 50€, 75€ and 100€ respectively plus any required materials at cost or fixed price quote if you prefer.
-Small construction/demolition jobs – walls, fencing, guttering, tiling etc. costs as above or fixed price quote if you prefer.
-Painting and decorating – interior or exterior, tools all supplied, materials extra at cost . costs as above or fixed price quote if you prefer.
Evenings, weekends and holidays both Spanish and English are all included at no extra cost. I am always busy and usually require between 2 and 4 weeks notice before I can start work but I can usually carry out quotations fairly quickly.
Check my website for examples of my work www.nikofalltrades.es
Email enquiries or for more information to
nikash2 at hotmail dot com or just write that email address or web address down somewhere in case you may need me in the future! I am a DigameXtra sponsor and so my contact info is available in the sponsors section below as well. There is also a contact form available on the website.
References/recommendations available from the UK and Spain
Based in Competa but can travel anywhere in Digameland. Quotations are completely free!

Coast Fm Gold:
Things are starting to get back to ‘Normal’ …now what?
Let people know you are open for business by advertising on the radio, where you will be heard 4 to 6 times a day, in the car, the kitchen, the bedroom, even on the beach!
No magazine can do that!
97.6 Coast Fm Gold is the Eastern Costa del Sol’s number one radio station, heard locally and all over the world on 97.6fm, Online, Google, Siri, Alexa and on Tunein!
Based in Nerja and broadcasting 24 hours a day, your advert would be heard between 4 to 6 times a day, every day at the same cost as a magazine or local newspaper, which are looked at maybe once or even missed…….you can’t miss whats on the radio unless it’s switched off!
We script it, do the voiceover, add music and once approved by you…..we broadcast it!
Whether your a bar an estate agent, supermarket or have a product or service you would like the world to know about, let them know on 97.6 Coast Fm Gold.
Email to studio @ coastfmgold.com or WhatsApp to 691934626 or leave message and we will call you back!

Golden Leaves Funeral Plans:
Pre-planning your funeral is a thoughtful and responsible way to show you care about your family.
Funerals are no easy task. There are numerous considerations to factor in, including logistics, food and drink, casket purchase and burial grounds. A loved one’s death brings immense emotional strain to any family, and the question of financing and arrangements only exacerbates the stress.
Handling all of these challenges is difficult enough in one’s normal circumstances, but having to go through it while abroad is an enormous burden.
Golden Leaves Funeral Plans aims to support grieving families during these tumultuous times. Since our inception in 1984, we have partnered with a widespread network of funeral directors across the UK and Europe.
Purchasing a funeral plan with Golden Leaves enables you to plan, design and pay for your funeral services in advance.
As one of the leading providers of expat prepaid funeral plans in Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands, we make sure to adequately support your family in the time of greatest need.
If you are an expat family in need of prepaid funeral services please contact Ruth on phone or whats app + 34 693 715 718
Based in Javea/Alicante. Company Reg. No: 2935393
Email: Ruth.forder@goldenleaves.com

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

Halting Erosion using Vetiver:
From Vetiver Spain in Sayalonga
Our Nursery is open by appointment. Please email or call first. We have Moringa seedlings, Organic Moringa powder and Comfrey plants. We also have some local trees and some exotic trees from Africa.
Vetiver is a rapid growing and non-invasive sterile clump grass with a height of 1-2 metres and a root system of 3-4 metres in depth. We have been providing Vetiver throughout the EU for almost 10 years now. We are located in Sayalonga where we can plant year round but our best results by far start in February. The reason is that Vetiver is indigenous to India and Vetiver loves the heat of the summer. Use Vetiver cuttings as mulch around all of your fruit trees. Decomposing Vetiver improves soil quality, keeps the weeds down and the insects away all while helping to maintain soil moisture.
Vetiver is a nutritious and replenishable animal fodder. Horses and pigs love it. We use it in our chicken pens replacing hay because it stops mites.
In the 2 photos below you will see land prepared for Vetiver and the results 2 years later.
We also use Vetiver along driveways and sidewalks. It also makes a great and inexpensive ornamental hedge.
Here is a link to a short video showing the results.
https://youtu.be/rjTmb_LL2uo
We suggest planting now, as this is the BEST time of the year to plant.
To see more images of Vetiver go to this link.
https://www.vetiverspain.org/photo-gallery.html
Presently we have some specials, which include free shipping to numerous locations.
For more information please contact us.
Please visit us or visit our website:
www.vetiverspain.com
Email: info@vetiverspain.com
Telephone: (34) 692 288 657

For Sale: IKEA Morgedal mattress. High quality and not much use.
Cost 249€ selling for 60€. Buyer collects. Anders, Nerja
Tel: 669094359

For Sale: UGreen CM352, 2.5inch Hard Drive Enclosure w/ USB.
Brand new in sealed box.
Fits both standard and slim (7mm and 9.5mm) HDD or SSD.
Premium quality with special data protection chip not found in cheap models. Use this to connect a loose 2.5″ hard drive (from a laptop) to your computer with the attached USB cable (provided).
Easy to insert your HDD or SSD, no tools needed.
Good Christmas gift for that “hard to buy for” techie friend.
High speed transfers with data transfer rate up to 5Gbps!
Supports USB2, USB3, SATA 3,SATA 2.
For Windows/macOS/Linux. Photo:planbatteries.gr
Price €25. Naythan, Torrox Costa
Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

COVID-19

Covid Andalucia- Andalucía registers 15 coronavirus deaths as the region’s incidence rate rises to 445.4: {21Dec21 17:43} There has been an increase of 97 patients hospitalised in the last 24 hours to make a total of 692, some 180 more than a week ago and the highest daily increase since the 138 on 10 August.
A further 15 Covid-19 deaths have been added, the highest figure since the 15 registered on 1 October. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/andalucia-registers-coronavirus-20211221172739-nt.html

Malaga province and Andalucía region Covid-19 rates – town by town: Consult your municipality’s coronavirus figures on these interactive maps and graphs at: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/malaga-province-andalucia-20210606195012-nt.html

SPAIN

Spain’s PM to meet with regional leaders to discuss new Covid-19 measures over ‘real risk’: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a special meeting for Wednesday with the heads of the country’s regional governments, which are in charge of their own Covid-19 containment campaigns, to discuss the spread of the new omicron variant and “evaluate new measures that could be introduced in the coming weeks.” Sánchez on Sunday described the rise in coronavirus transmission ahead of the Christmas holidays as “a real and certain health risk.” Full article: https://english.elpais.com/spain/2021-12-20/spains-pm-to-meet-with-regional-leaders-to-discuss-new-covid-19-measures-due-to-real-risk.html

MALAGA

Delays of up to five days to obtain the results of the PCR in Malaga: {Translation} 21Dec21 12:22
-Patients testing positive for Covid antigens crowd the doors of the outpatient clinics to confirm, by means of a PCR, that they have been infected. The scene is repeated in different health districts. It will take time to know the result, because the delay, as reported on Tuesday by the CCOO union, is already five days, which it blames on the “collapse” of primary care, overwhelmed by the increase of infections in the province of Malaga, where cases of Omicron, the new variant, have already been confirmed.
-“We go to a pharmacy to get an antigen test and then we go to the health centre to get confirmation that we are positive. It is impossible to get an appointment. There is a public and notorious collapse. Contagions are increasing exponentially and people have difficulties to confirm theirs”, says Juan Carlos, general secretary of the Union of Health and Socio-sanitary Sectors of CCOO in Malaga.
-The telephone lines and self-appointment is also failing, so that citizens are forced to go in person to health centres, which results in “waiting lists, endless queues and increasing tension among users”.
-In the words of the union spokesman, the health situation “would improve by reinforcing the workforce”, which has been “cut” at the same time as “the sixth wave” was “announced”. “On 31 October, 8,000 health professional contracts were terminated in Andalusia; 1,500 in the case of Malaga. In addition, 600 nurses have gone to work in Catalonia because they do have job stability there,” he says.
Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/Denuncian-demoras-resultados-PCR-Malaga_0_1640236453.html

Nerja gets new parking lot: {Translation, summary} This week the new lot of 85 parking spaces will be opened, which the Nerja City Council, through the Infrastructure Service, has enabled on a municipal plot, with an area of 2,100 square meters, located next to the roundabout access to the municipality from the old road N-340 and Avda. Alcalde Antonio Villasclaras. This new car park will be managed by the Friendship Workshop Association. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiahoy.es/articulo/nerja/ayuntamiento-nerja-crea-nueva-bolsa-aparcamientos/20211221082732045464.html

UK

All 30 countries that UK travellers are effectively banned from including Germany, France and Australia: The UK has seen its daily coronavirus case record tumble numerous times in the last week or two with the latest record being set this Saturday at 93,045.
As a result a number of countries in Europe and further afield have been amending their travel rules regarding UK travellers, Germany the latest to do this today.
Some nations have been imposing tougher quarantine rules on UK arrivals, effectively banning tourists and others already had blanket bans on all travellers.
In total now there are 30 different countries where travellers from the UK are effectively barred. See the full list in source article: https://www.mylondon.news/lifestyle/travel/heathrow-gatwick-30-countries-uk-22515570#comments-wrapper

UK reports another 90,629 COVID cases and 172 deaths in latest 24-hour period: MPs are being briefed on the current situation with Omicron on Tuesday evening by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
There are also reports in The Sun that “within 48 hours” the PM will make an announcement on whether a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown will be imposed in England over the festive season and into January. Full article: https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-uk-reports-another-90-629-covid-cases-and-172-deaths-in-latest-24-hour-period-in-latest-24-hour-period-12501476

Has Microsoft added your NHS records to all the other data it has collected on you from your computer and phone? US giant Microsoft is accused of NHS takeover: Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is investigating claims that the US tech giant Microsoft has elbowed British firms out of millions of pounds of NHS contracts by giving remote-meeting software to the Health Service.
Officials in Mr Kwarteng’s Business Department are looking at claims that what was seen as a generous offer during the pandemic – providing Teams software free to the NHS – has led to a ‘takeover by stealth’ of its IT systems.
Microsoft is already being investigated by the competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, over its plan to acquire Nuance, a £12 billion voice recognition platform which is widely used in the NHS. Full article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10324505/US-giant-Microsoft-accused-NHS-takeover-stealth-elbowing-UK-firms-millions.html

EUROPE

Gibraltar Covid Pass is not valid in Spain due to NHS error: In a press release issued by the Government of Gibraltar late on Monday December 20, it was announced that the Chief Minister would be making a live announcement about the situation surrounding the pandemic on Thursday December 23 at 4pm.
Contained within this release was the following statement “It is important to note that new restrictions have also come into force in the region of Andalucia next door. It will no longer be possible by law to enter catering establishments or leisure areas there without the relevant COVID pass. This means the Spanish and EU COVID pass. The Gibraltar COVID pass is presently compatible with that of the United Kingdom only and the extension of that compatibility to EU Member States is currently under discussion.” Full article: https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/21/gibraltar-covid-pass-is-not-valid-in-spain-due-to-nhs-error/

OTHER

UK hands over 585 million compromised passwords to ‘Have I been pwned’ service: Troy Hunt, the founder of the ‘Have I Been Pwned’ (HIBP) website, announced on Monday that UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has shared a colossal trove of stolen passwords with his website that lets people to check if their passwords have been compromised online. Visit this link to check your if your passwords have been stolen- https://haveibeenpwned.com/
According to Hunt, the NCA shared 585,570,857 credentials with HIBP, of which 225,665,425 were new passwords that Hunt hadn’t seen before in 613 million credentials stored in HIBP’s password repository.
The NCA told Hunt that these passwords were found at a cloud storage location that belonged to a UK business and was used by unidentified actors to store compromised login data.
The credentials came from multiple data breaches, and their storage on a UK business’s cloud storage meant that they were accessible to third parties “to commit further fraud or cyber offences.” Full article: https://www.computing.co.uk/news/4042359/uk-hands-585-million-compromised-passwords-pwned-service

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

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Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

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DigameXtra No. 2141 Tuesday, Dec. 21st, 2021

On December 21, 2021December 21, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

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Announcements

Elvis Presley & Martina McBride
Blue Christmas
Video Link

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

CANCELLED NEW YEAR EVENTS:
-Coín cancels their traditional New Year’s Eve fancy dress party, and the traditional Christmas breakfast at Pleno de la Rosquilla. The town hall has called off the “mass” gatherings due to the increase in Covid cases. The rest of the Christmas programme will go ahead as planned, as they were organised bearing in mind the expected increase in cases and are activities in the open air or in the Casa de la Cultura, with controlled numbers and use of masks.
-Alhaurín de la Torre has cancelled its New Year’s Eve party, to be held in a large marquee set up in the municipal park. The mayor Joaquín Villanova called for “caution” in a message published on social media, although he said that the rest of events on the Christmas programme would go ahead. Source: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/coin-cancels-traditional-20211220184233-nt.html

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

Archgrove Services: A family run light haulage/transport company with bases in Archez, Spain and near Oxford, UK.
We provide a one stop service for all your transport needs and pride ourselves on reliability, flexibility, good communication and a very much ‘can do’ approach. No job is too small and there is always a solution.
Our services include:
-Regular runs between UK and Spain
-Transport of personal property from full house moves to vehicles down to small single items
-Courier Services
-Man & Van services
-Packing, including supply of packing materials
-UK Home shopping with UK delivery address
-Storage of property and vehicles in UK and Spain
-Any jobs in Western Europe and Scandinavia considered
Fully Insured with Haulage, Goods In Transit and Public Liability policies.
If we can be of service please contact Steve & Gail. We are on Facebook and always available to chat through your needs and provide a free no obligation quote if required. FB-Link
UK: 0044 7868 435052
SPAIN: 0034 951 066 093
Email: archgroveservices@gmail.com Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.

SPW Construction Services: Professional high quality building service, fully qualified tradesmen to all trades.
Extensions, retaining walls, driveways, swimming pools, damp problems, roofs, blocked drains.
Replacement kitchens and bathrooms, Tiling and terraces. Plumbing, electrics and plastering, painting.
Architect service, building licence applications.
Handyman service now available for those smaller jobs.
For free consultation and estimate contact us on 622 938 440
or email: scottparkwilson AT yahoo DOT co DOT uk
Scott/Arenas. Home Page and FB-Link
Our contact info is also in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section everyday.

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

Great Deals From the Nerja Household Centre:
-Castilian sideboard solid natural wood with chalk paint panels and drawers waxed Measurements 150 x 39.50 x 78cms Price 250€
-Castilian unit Natural & yute a beautiful natural waxed top Measurements 112.50 x 36 x 81cms Price 145€
contact Jackie/nerja 672170429
info at nerja household centre dot com

Wanted: Rental. We are coming to Andalusia late February for three months and are looking to rent a small country house on the campo. We are a retired couple with a dog. Our budget is €700 pcm max.
Diane & Tony from Yorkshire, England
Please respond to dianemgoulding@gmail.com.

Recommendations & Requests

Crutches Needed: Good day to all you Digamites. Thought it may be worth asking if anyone out there has a pair of crutches I can buy from them please? Not sure how adjustable in size they are as I’m a shortie, only 5 foot tall. For the second year running, my Christmas has been cancelled! Thanks. Barbara Torrox Campo
Email: wickseyb at hotmail dot com

Mobile phone & SmartTV advice: I am looking to buy a mobile pay as you go phone for when I am in Spain, as I understand prices will increase for uk based phones when used in Spain from next year. Does anybody have recommendations for mobile suppliers?
I am also looking for advice regarding Smart TVs, if we purchase a Spanish Smart TV can we receive Spanish TV as we currently only have a dish for UK TV channels and also a Firestick to access other channels we subscribe to. Thanks, D Stephenson
Email: dssp@btinternet.com

Beware!: Whilst walking with my wife in Nerja, Sunday morning, we both became aware of a man with a phone behaving strangely. Walking from one side of the road to the other. I felt him come up behind me and also felt something on my back. I immediately knew what had happened as this has happened before with the same man a few months ago. We whipped round and shouted at him to get away and he walked away quickly, hiding his face. This is a well known scam and the idea is to tell you that a bird has messed on your clothes (after he has splashed them with a sweet sticky substance). Then he helps you to clean up (he of course has a bottle of water in his hand). He also helps himself to your wallet. Most men carry it in their back pocket. Fortunately I was suspicious and was ready, so the only outcome was filthy clothes which was a minor problem. This happened Almirante Ferrandiz. The same man did the same thing to me in Calle Cruz a couple of months ago. I have reported it to the police and gave a description of the man, but sadly I didn’t have the presence of mind to take a photo of him.
He is around fifty fairly smart but he appears to be taking photos of buildings. Be vigilant! Ron, Nerja, gerron.comATgmailD0Tcom

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

COVID-19

Covid Spain- Spain adds 79,704 cases and 85 deaths from COVID-19, while the incidence shoots above 600:
{Translation} 20Dec21 21:02
-The autonomous communities have notified the Ministry of Health on Monday of 79,704 new cases of COVID-19, 9,993 of them diagnosed in the last 24 hours. These figures are much higher than on the same day last week, when 49,802 positive cases were reported, which is evidence of the strong upward trend in the evolution of the pandemic.
-The total number of infections in Spain now stands at 5,535,231 since the start of the pandemic, according to official statistics. The cumulative incidence in the last 14 days per 100,000 inhabitants stands at 609.38, compared to 511.00 on Friday. A total of 289,156 positives have been recorded in the past two weeks.
-In Monday’s report, 85 new deaths have been added, compared to 103 last Monday. As many as 88,793 people with a positive diagnostic test have died since the virus arrived in Spain, according to data compiled by the ministry. In the last week, 196 people with a confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis have died in Spain.
-Currently, there are 7,501 patients admitted for COVID-19 throughout Spain (6,667 on Fridays) and 1,442 in ICU (1,306 on Fridays). In the last 24 hours, there have been 912 admissions (839 Fridays) and 407 discharges (743 Fridays). The occupancy rate of beds occupied by coronavirus stands at 6.03 percent (5.35% Friday) and in ICUs at 15.49 percent (14.03% Friday).
-Between 7 and 13 December, the autonomous communities carried out 1,467,779 diagnostic tests, of which 912,055 were PCR and 555,724 antigen tests, with an overall rate per 100,000 inhabitants of 3,121.19.
-Meanwhile, the positivity rate stands at 13.89 percent, compared to 12.24 percent on Friday. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that this figure should be below 5 percent to consider the spread of the virus as ‘controlled’. Source, Spanish: https://www.infosalus.com/salud-investigacion/noticia-espana-suma-79704-casos-85-muertes-covid-19-mientras-incidencia-dispara-encima-600-20211220205852.html

Covid Andalucia- Andalusia reports more than 8,000 Covid infections, the highest number since the start of the pandemic: {Translation} 20/12/2021 16:56
-Andalusia has recorded 8,621 Covid-19 infections this Monday. This is the highest figure of this sixth wave.
-In this way, the cumulative incidence has also risen as never before, 81 points in just two days, rising to 391 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Thus, Andalusia is now in the high risk zone for Covid, whose limit was 300 points of incidence.
-This advance of the sixth wave has also led to an increase in the number of hospitalised patients. Even so, the number of hospitalised patients is still a long way from last year at this time of year, when 5,000 were admitted, more than 700 in the ICU.
-It is in the ICU that the biggest difference with respect to last year is now noticeable. Thus, this Monday Andalusia has 107 patients in intensive care. This is seven times fewer than in the community with a lower number of cases last year.
-The reason for this mismatch between infections, hospitalised and ICU is in the vaccines. This is the opinion of the Regional Minister for Health and Families, Jesús Aguirre, who pointed out that “in this sixth wave the number of positive cases has increased a lot, but not in the same way the pressure on care”, as hospital occupancy is still “10% of the maximum reached in February” and both this parameter and ICU admissions are “half the average of the rest of the autonomous communities”.
-The Andalusian Minister of Health pointed out that the Omicron variant “is already very widespread because it is highly contagious but it has not been proven to be equally virulent”, although he clarified that currently the largest volume of hospital admissions continues to correspond to the Delta strain.
-According to Aguirre, “this sixth wave is already communal and it is much more difficult to keep track, which is why we are asking the Ministry of Health to stop talking about cumulative incidence and to talk about healthcare pressure”. The Minister insisted that the Junta is not contemplating any new “coercive” measures unless the number of hospitalised patients exceeds a thousand. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-andalucia-reporta-mas-8000-contagios-covid-mayor-cifra-desde-inicio-pandemia-202112201107_noticia.html

Covid Axarquia- Axarquia start the week with one new death from coronavirus in Vélez-Málaga: {Translation} 20Dec21 12:44
-The Axarquia region has started the week with a new death due to coronavirus in Velez-Malaga. This is confirmed by the data updated by the Junta de Andalucía on Monday 20 December. Thus, the capital of Axarquia has 107 deaths by Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic and brings the number of deaths by this disease in the region to 219. Velez-Malaga has reported 350 new cases of Covid-19 in the last two weeks and is already at an accumulated incidence rate of 424.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
-On the other hand, Alcaucín has again marked this Monday the worst rate of infection with 1,053.1 cases per 100,000 and 24 new infections in the last 14 days. –Globally, the Axarquia region has marked this Monday a rate of 377.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 48 points more than last Friday. Since last Friday, the Axarquia region has reported 192 new Covid-19 infections in 15 of the 31 municipalities of the region. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiahoy.es/articulo/velez-malaga/axarquia-inicia-semana-sumando-nuevo-fallecido-coronavirus-velez-malaga/20211220124426045448.html

SPAIN

Spanish truck drivers call off Christmas strike but distributors say damage is done: A three-day strike by Spanish truck drivers ahead of Christmas was averted after industry leaders reached an agreement with the government on Friday. But distributors say the deal comes too late for them because they were forced to stockpile supplies, while a union is urging new action after warning that the new conditions for truckers still fall short. Full article: https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2021-12-20/spanish-truck-drivers-call-off-christmas-strike-but-distributors-say-damage-is-done.html

ANDALUCIA

Andalucía opens Covid jab to the under-8s, and boosters for under-60s: The Junta de Andalucía will open the coronavirus vaccination booking calendar for children under eight years of age this Tuesday, 21 December. The date was announced this Monday (20 December) by the region’s minister of health, Jesús Aguirre.
Aguirre also stated that a vaccination with the third booster dose (from Pfizer or Moderna) against Covid-19 is allowed for those under 60 who were originally jabbed with the AstraZeneca formula, “whether or not they are essential workers”.
Make appointments through the ClicSalud+ web page, via the Salud Responde app or by calling 955 54 50 60.
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/andalucia-opens-coronavirus-20211220135619-nt.html

Christmas meals without drinks or dancing- Salud launches its anti-Covid recommendations for Andalusia:
{Translation, summary} 20/12/2021 19:58
-The department asks everyone to keep personal distance, maximise ventilation, stay at home if you have symptoms compatible with coronavirus and minimise the number of contacts.
-According to the suggestions, masks should always be used in enclosed spaces and in open spaces when the minimum distance of one and a half metres cannot be respected.
-For lunches and dinners at home, Salud asks that they be eaten with the minimum number of people who are not living together.
-If possible, they say, one or two family members at the most, but no more. There should also be distance and ventilation and, as far as possible, each family unit should be seated separately.
-When it comes to company or friends celebrations, it is recommended to go to open spaces and better to have lunch than dinner because at midday it is easier to go to outdoor venues.
-For those who organise events in the street, Health asks that a risk assessment be carried out and that, in any case, there should be a staggered form of access, with a differentiated entrance and exit area to avoid large groups of people. In addition, the Board asks that, as a general rule, events should be seated and that areas where activities are to be carried out without masks should be restricted.
-Three Kings Parade, Epiphany parades and other street performances: Local councils – or organisers – are asked to do so in wide streets without crowds of people. The Junta proposes that in parades, they should lengthen their route so that people have more time to attend without crowds.
-For bars and restaurants, in addition to asking for a Covid passport before entering the interior, they are asked to maintain adequate ventilation of the space, give preference to tables on terraces and in the shade, and ensure that the separation between diners is respected. In addition, the Board calls for a maximum of ten diners per table indoors.
-Nightclubs and discotheques. They must also ask for a Covid passport and proper ventilation. They also warn that dancing should always be done with a mask. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-comidas-navidas-sin-copas-baile-salud-lanza-recomendaciones-anti-covid-para-andalucia-202112201735_noticia.html

(Here is a follow-up on a previously posted article that explained the Junta de Andalucia was including a billion euros of EU covid recovery funds as income in its 2022 budget, to spend as it deems appropriate. As I suggested, that was wishful thinking and socialist politics. Neither the EU or Madrid would ever consider such an open ended payment. So here is the EU statement regarding the matter, that confirms my suspicions. -Ed.)
Brussels alerted Spain to deficiencies in the system for identifying the final recipients of European funds:
-Brussels has detected problems when it comes to identifying the final recipients of European funds.
-The Commission is concerned about the scrupulous management of European money, stating: “Member States must undertake to comply with European and national standards, including those relating to effective prevention, detection and correction of conflicts of interest, corruption, fraud and double financing “. Therefore, Member States have to explain the relevant agreements in their recovery and resilience plans. From there, “the European Commission assesses whether these control systems provide sufficient guarantees. If they are considered insufficient, the plan cannot be approved.” Full article: https://spainsnews.com/brussels-alerted-spain-to-deficiencies-in-the-system-for-identifying-the-final-recipients-of-european-funds/

MALAGA

Police seal off Nerja beach as Spanish Navy experts detonate American army explosive device: Specialists carried out three controlled blasts in the sand to destroy the USA military device, similar to the one that appeared in Benalmádena last March. (Other sources I saw on Spanish TV claim it was a common military aviation flare used in exercises, and that these often wash up on Spain’s beaches. But I can’t help but wonder… Why did it take a crew of demolition experts 3 tries to light off a flare, using high explosives as a fuse? It’s a flare for cryin’ out loud, it’s supposed to burn! -Ed.) Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/axarquia/police-seal-nerja-20211220193424-nt.html

Malaga restaurant owners express confusion and concern over COVID Passport: Restaurant owners are having difficulty due to problems with the Salud Andalucia app. When they try to enter the app to check a customer’s COVID Passport, it loads for a few seconds before showing an error message saying that they should try again later.
The Office of Health and Families has confirmed that the application occasionally goes down due to the high number of people who are trying to access it. The restaurant workers have tried to get in touch with the police or the City Hall in order to get advice on what to do, but they are getting no answer.
One of the main fears of restaurant workers is how they are going to be able to control the situation when they are at full capacity, especially as Christmas is approaching. “When we’re full I don’t know what we’re going to do, because we don’t have the authority to ask for their ID cards to check the COVID Passport belongs to the same person,” says Bryan Lascano, a waiter. Full article: https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/20/malaga-restaurant-owners-express-confusion-and-concern-over-covid-passport/

A fire affects 18 vehicles in the parking lot of Torrox: {Translation}
A total of 18 vehicles have burned due to a fire late on Sunday in a car park in the town of Torrox in Malaga in which no one was injured, according to the unified emergency service 112 Andalusia.
The fire broke out at 22.53 hours when the local police alerted the emergency telephone 112 of a fire in a car park in the Concordia in Torrox village that affected several vehicles. Firefighters from the Malaga Provincial Consortium and the Guardia Civil were called to the scene.
According to the fire brigade, a total of 18 vehicles were burnt, six of which were completely burnt. Despite the material damage, no injuries were reported. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/incendio-vehiculos-parking-Torrox_0_1639936195.html

UK

Boris Johnson puts off more Covid measures for now but ‘rules nothing out’: Boris Johnson has put off a decision about whether to impose new Covid restrictions across England to curb soaring cases – but warned he will “reserve the possibility of taking further action” before Christmas.
Johnson is caught between sceptical cabinet colleagues, who believe there is not enough evidence yet to justify a “plan C” that could include a ban on indoor households mixing, and scientists who argue that the benefits of new rules will shrink the later they are implemented, amid the rise of the Omicron variant. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/20/boris-johnson-avoids-more-covid-measures-for-now-but-rules-nothing-out

British Airways cancels flights and tells Brits to leave luggage behind:
Dozens of BA flights were cancelled over the weekend due to staff shortages. The airline even told passengers to leave their luggage at the airport and instead would have it couriered to them after a shortage in baggage handlers led to as many as 1,000 bags being dumped. Full article: https://www.uktimes.co.uk/ba-cancels-more-flights-begs-brits-to-leave-luggage-behind-due-to-short-staff/

OTHER

Android Scam App: Users of an app called COLOR MESSAGE are warned to uninstall it immediately. The malicious Android app with more than 500,000 downloads from the Google Play app store has been found hosting malware that stealthily exfiltrates users’ contact lists to an attacker-controlled server and signs up users to unwanted paid premium subscriptions without their knowledge. Full article: https://thehackernews.com/2021/12/over-500000-android-users-downloaded.html

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Spain Coronavirus Data from Spain’s Ministerio de Sanidad, Official C-19 Pages:
https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov-China/situacionActual.htm
AND
https://cnecovid.isciii.es/covid19/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Humour Section

Free Comic Strips provided by https://comics.azcentral.com/

Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)

Fun & Games

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

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DigameXtra Sponsors

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DigameXtra No. 2140 Monday, Dec. 20th, 2021

On December 20, 2021December 20, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

George Thorogood & The Destroyers
Rock & Roll Christmas
Video Link

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Phoenix Club:
Our social club is fully open so do pop in for a coffee and a chat, or browse our books at 4 for €1. We also have a selection of DVDs at various prices, including boxed sets.
***Trips***
January
-7th – Trip to Gib €15pp includes €1 for the driver.
-21st – Trip to the Sierra Nevadas €18,50pp – Bring your skis!
-28th – Trip to La Canada and Iceland. Price €15pp
The Phoenix Social club is a registered association. We meet at the La Vega bar every Tuesday and you can find it just behind the Repsol garage on the way out of Torre towards Benajarafe. We are now open from 12 noon until 2pm.
For further information, please contact Gail on 951067723/626370695 or email phoenixsocialclub@yahoo.co.uk for more information

Bio Beach Restaurant- El Morche: Wed. Dec. 29 at 19hrs
Program: Emanuele Breda, Violinist – Emanuele is the son of our dear friend Alessandra Ballerini, U3A member. Emanuele will present a solo of violín works from the Baroque period from such composers as Georg Philip Telemann and Johann Sebastián Bach, to name a few. If you chose to disconnect and savor an hour of music that feeds your soul, join us at the Bio Beach Restaurant. We are waiting for you! – PS: Emanuele started his violín studies at the age of 5. Italian by birth, Emanuele has studied in various European countries and being a lover of the Baroque has given concerts not only in European capitals but also in Japan and Colombia. Emanuele received his Master’s Degree in Baroque violin at the Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt in 2014. Throughout his career, he has also received a number of prestigious prizes and now spends his time teaching violín and viola in Oberursel, Germany where he lives. – PPS: The Bio Beach Restaurant is located in El Morche beachfront promenade right behind the church.
For reservations or more information contact: norma2kk@aol.com

Yfke’s Bar- Torrox Costa: Due to circumstances, the opening hours and programmes of the Bar may vary in the coming weeks. Please use FB messenger to contact us or confirm activities this week.
Please note- There will be no workshops for the remainder of December. Established workshops, as well as some new offerings, will restart in January. Info & details will be posted here every Monday…. 24 & 25 December the bar is open from 16.00
New Holiday Season Hours: Open Mon-Sat, 14:00 – 20:00. Closed Sundays. You will find us at: Torrox Costa Paseo, EDF 8 Urb. Costa de Oro. FB link with map
Warm greetings and see you soon, YFKE’S BAR.
Tel +34 711 03 0217

Postponed- Nerja’s “Tribute to our Seniors” Christmas event: {Translation} The Department of Popular Traditions in the City of Nerja informs you of the postponement of the event a “Christmas Tribute to our Elders” scheduled for next Monday, December 20, as a preventive measure in the face of rising infections of cases of coronavirus in the municipality.
“We postpone the celebration of the traditional “Tribute to our Seniors”, which will take place from next year again, as long as the health situation allows it,” said the councillor, Elena Gálvez . All the people that have the invitation to attend this snack, will be called by phone starting on Tuesday, December 21, to come to the Office Municipal Care for Older People and pick up the gift from the City that was to be given during the event. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiahoy.es/articulo/nerja/nerja-aplaza-merienda-navidena-homenaje-nuestros-mayores/20211217163808045400.html

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

CycleNerja: Bike Rental and Cycle Hire in Nerja, Torrox & Frigiliana Free Bike delivery and collection service is available anywhere in Nerja, Torrox & Frigiliana and the inland villages. Professional Carbon Race Bikes, 29er Mountain Bikes & Electric Mountain Bikes. Free delivery subject to a minimum rental value of 90,00 euros. Contact via https://cyclenerja.com/ Contact also located under our banner in the DigameXtra Sponsor’s Section every day.

Hanningtons Kitchens and Bathrooms: We have been installing kitchens and bathrooms here on the Costa for 13 years. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, highest standards of work and customer service.
Whether you are thinking of updating an existing kitchen or bathroom, or whether you wish to create the kitchen or bathroom you have always dreamed of, we are here for you, every step of the way.
With an unrivaled knowledge of the best local materials and suppliers we are able to work to all tastes and budgets.
Our full range of services includes
– Installations and Refurbs
– Wall & Floor tiling
– Full range of Plumbing work including radiators and underfloor heating
– Solar Installation
– Design & planning ideas to get the look you are after
– Electrical works
– Alter / Install walls, dropped ceilings and hang doors
– Plastering, woodwork and floor levelling
Visit our FB page on the link below to be inspired
https://www.facebook.com/hanningtons.kitchens.and.bathrooms/
Call us : 669 665 156
Email us : hanningtons.bathrooms@gmail.com

Mandy’s Paintbox: Painter for 30 years. Painting work undertaken. Inside and outside large or small. Furniture painted or sprayed. Kitchens cabinets, wardrobes doors any colour any surface. Check out the before and after photos all the furniture was spray painted.
Call for advice WhatsApp 680739577
Email: amandajosiah@hotmail.com
My contact details can be found everyday in the Sponsor’s Section at the bottom of the issue. Here are “before” and “after” pics from my latest job.

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

BluCee Real Estate: Are you looking to sell a property?
Do you want an honest, trustworthy agency to work hard to achieve a good price for you? Customer service is one of our top priorities.
We exceeded our December targets in two weeks, with buyers from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, England and Denmark. We are looking for new properties, would you like us to market yours?
Contact us for a no obligation chat about our competitive commission and how we will market your property at: info @ blucee.com
Look at our reviews on Google and Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/BluCee.Inmobiliaria/), you will not be disappointed.
We are based in Rincon de la Victoria, now with an office in Nerja.
Follow us on Facebook for latest news of our properties and local information.
For examples of our fantastic properties, please take a look at our website: www.BluCee.com
BluCee.com is a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown here every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

For Sale: Folding bicycle, Da’ Fat Cat, in mint condition as well as color! 195€. Includes lock w/ 2 keys, never used; helmet and standing pump used once each. Problems w/ my left foot prevented me from enjoying this little treasure.
Contact: norma2kk@aol.com

For Sale: Todo multi-functional crafting machine. An expensive but unwanted gift. Price 70 Euros (negotiable). Location Maro near Nerja. Contact Beth / George. Mobile: 658642525
Email dobmick at hotmail.co.uk

For Sale: BMW 320i (cabriolet). Selling my cherished Spanish registered, full Spanish spec 1999 BMW 320i cabriolet, as it’s been gathering dust for the couple of years. Only 96,000 km, 12 months ITV. A fantastic car to drive, mechanically sound, and good bodywork, although there is a little sun-damage. The rear window was recently replaced, but the stitching needs redoing.
Street price is around €4,000, but sadly the roof motor has stopped working, hence an asking price of €2,000. I’m told the problem is a stripped cog in the roof motor. Someone with the ability, or who knows a decent mechanic can pick one up off eBay for around £70.
€2,000 or near offer. More photos on request.
Rod – Competa. Phone: 951 069 982 or
Mobile: 684 381 652 (Whatsapp)
Email: rodney.jones4@gmail.com

For Sale, 3 items: Reduced
-Ikea “Norden” Gateleg table, birch with drawers 26/89/152×80 cm
Very good condition. Cost 149€ new selling for 50€
-2 Ikea “Volfgang” Chairs. Very good condition. Cost £75 each selling both for €40
Both table and chairs 80€
-1 Brown framed mirror size 1m 33cm high, 73cm wide €25
Very good condition.
Buyer collects in Nerja.
Tel: 669094359 Anders

For Sale: Reduced
Telescope; Orion Star Max 90 (10022e). Perfect condition / unused / unmarked.
Specifications:
Best for viewing- Lunar & planetary
User level- Beginner/intermediate
Optical design- Maksutov – Cassegrain
Optical diameter- 90mm; Focal length- 1250mm; Focal ratio- f/13.9
Eyepieces- 3-Element 25.0mm,10.0mm (1.25″)
Magnification (Included)- 50x, 125x; Resolving power- 1.29arc*sec
Lowest useful magnification- 13x; Highest useful magnification- 180x
Limiting stellar magnitude- 12.5; Mount type- Altazimuth
Weight, fully assembled- 6.5 lbs.
Complete with; EZ finder II reflex sight, 90·star diagonal, 10mm & 25mm eyepieces, threaded adapter for tripod attachment, moon filter, table top mount adapter, Philips moon map, Philips stargazing book, heavy duty photographic tripod, 14 page instruction manual.
Ideal for viewing; Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Global Clusters, Nebulas ETC.
Value new over 300 Euros, sell for 120 Euros.
Buyer collects; Stuart, Caleta De Velez. Mobile; 609592766 Email: stuartlincombe@yahoo.co.uk

For Sale, 2 items:
-Nail curer for artificial nails also for CND nail polish. Excellent condition like new, used once. €30
-Bose speaker SoundLink Mini, bluetooth with docking station for charging. Excellent condition sounds great like new hardly used €100
call Erika 635149472 Torrox

Recommendations & Requests

Buses: P.M. Christmas Day. The web-site is not clear, does anyone know if there are any buses running Benajarafe to Nerja, p.m. Christmas Day? John. Benajarafe
Email: johnnerding AT lawyer D0T com

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

COVID-19

Covid Malaga Weekend Update- Malaga records the highest number of Covid hospital admissions in the last three months:
{Translation} Saturday 18Dec21 13:45
-The health situation due to the pandemic continues to worsen by the day and the number of patients admitted to hospitals is higher than it has been for three months. On the last day alone there have been eleven more hospitalisations, bringing the number of patients admitted to hospital in Malaga to 164, the highest figure since September. Of these, 26 are in a more serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where two patients have been admitted in the last 24 hours.
-The pressure on care has been increasing for weeks, with the number of infections rising, which on several days this week have once again exceeded 1,000. A reflection of this is that since Monday there have been a hundred people who have had to be hospitalised after being infected with Covid. Therefore, the cumulative number of patients admitted since March 2020 is 10,866, of which 1,043 have been in ICU.
-For its part, the curve of infections has experienced this Friday a drop compared to the previous day, when 1,052 were added. Even so, this Saturday the number of positive cases is again close to 600 per day. Specifically, the balance sheet sent by the Regional Ministry of Health reports 588 new cases in the province of Malaga and a total of 166,989 in the whole pandemic. This week has been particularly worrying in terms of the rate of infection, with 4,738 cases detected (638 on Monday; 1,039 on Tuesday; 543 on Wednesday; 878 on Thursday; 1,052 on Friday and 588 on Saturday).
-There is one more death to report this weekend. There have been 11 deaths from the coronavirus since Monday in Malaga and 2,031 since March last year. As for those cured, 241 more have been cured in the last day and 158,377 since the start of the pandemic.
-Finally, with regard to the Covid incidence rate, the Regional Ministry of Health does not update the data over the weekend. Until yesterday, at provincial level, it stood at 352.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, almost 46 points more in just 24 hours. With this, it is at High Risk Level for the spread of Covid, which is the Level that applies to the 300 to 500 positive rate.
-From this Saturday the province of Malaga is on level 1 alert for Covid, as decided by the Alert Committee. The measure will last until 00.00 hours on 28 December. In practice, this is hardly a warning, because it does not imply any restrictions in terms of timetables or capacity. Everything will continue as before, with the only exception that the use of masks will be compulsory at public shows or mass events, even if they are outdoors. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/Malaga-registra-cifra-hospitalizados-covid-mas-alta-meses_0_1639336613.html

SPAIN

Electricity at new record highs- 340 euros per megawatt hour:
– The price of electricity in the wholesale market (pool) will stand this Monday, December 20, at 339.84 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), which represents an increase of more than 6% compared to Sunday, in which it will be its highest price in the historical series for the second day in a row.
-According to data from the Iberian Electricity Market Operator (OMIE), the maximum price that will be registered on Monday will be 375 euros / MWh that will be registered between 8 and 9 p.m., while the minimum will be 267.99 euros / MWh between 4:00 and 5:00 in the morning. With this rise, electricity will set a new record, the fifth in the last six days, ahead of the 319.63 euros / MWh registered this Sunday and the 309.2 euros / MWh last Friday.
-Since last Wednesday, electricity has marked all-time highs every day except for Saturday, when electricity fell 1% despite marking the fourth highest price in history. In addition, the price for Monday will exceed the barrier of 300 euros / MWh for the fifth time, and multiplies by more than seven the price registered on the equivalent day last year, when electricity was paid at 46.79 euros / MWh.
-As for the rest of European countries, in the United Kingdom the megawatt hour will be paid on Monday at an average of 410.39 pounds (about 484 euros), while in Germany it will do so at 331.37 euros; in France, at 382.08 euros; in Italy, at 363.88 euros, and in Portugal, at the same price as in Spain by sharing the market. Full article: https://spainsnews.com/340-euros-per-megawatt-hour/

Carlos Marín dead- Il Divo singer dies Sunday 19/12 from Covid-19 at age 53:
Carlos Marín has passed away after falling ill on December 8 with coronavirus. According to El Espanol, Carlos was admitted to hospital on December 8. The singer, in spite of being vaccinated against COVID-19 , was intubated and in a medically induced coma because of the coronavirus at Royal Hospital in Manchester.
Sources: https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-carlos-marn-dead-il-25739782 AND (Spanish)
https://cadenaser.com/ser/2021/12/19/sociedad/1639943128_654764.html PLUS VIDEO LINK

ANDALUCIA

The Covid passport is already in force in Andalusia to enter bars and entertainment venues: {Translation, full article} 19/12/2021 23:45
-At 00.00 hours this Monday, 20 December, the Covid passport came into force in the hospitality and leisure premises of the Andalusian community, as stated in the Order of the Ministry of Health and Families of the Andalusian Regional Government, which has just been published in the BOJA (Official Gazette of Andalusia). This measure, which aims to contain the coronavirus, and which has already been applied in hospitals and retirement homes in Andalusia since 7 December, will be in force until 15 January, covering the entire Christmas period, when there is an increase in travel and family and friends gatherings.
-The Order states that bars, restaurants, nightclubs and other establishments in the sector will have to ask their customers over the age of 12 to provide documentary proof of identity, as well as a Covid certificate or diagnostic test that they are immunised.
-Therefore, it is up to the hoteliers to ask their customers for the Covid certificate, for which the Junta de Andalucía has enabled a QR code through which it is possible to verify the validity of the certificate. The reader checks that the QR read is correct, i.e. that it exists in the certificate repository, and checks the data to verify its authenticity and expiry date.
-In order to preserve the privacy and intimacy of individuals, the identity document, diagnostic tests or the Covid certificate may only be requested for the purposes of verification or verification, and therefore these personal health data may not be stored or kept in files. The staff of bars, restaurants or entertainment venues having access to such information shall be obliged to maintain secrecy and confidentiality. Establishments will have to display a sign informing the public about the nature of the documentation required to gain access to the premises, as well as about the non-retention of this data.
**Documents to be required**
-What documents may be required to enter the hotel and catering establishments and leisure premises in Andalusia? Customers must present a certificate that they have received the full course of a Covid-19 vaccine or a certificate of a negative diagnostic test performed within the last 72 hours in the case of PCRs and 48 hours in the case of antigen tests.
-In the case of rapid antigen tests, they must be listed in the common updated list of rapid antigen tests established on the basis of Council of Europe Recommendation 2021/C 24/01. A certificate of recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection within the last six months can also be provided. For this, the person must have been diagnosed as a confirmed Covid-19 case 11 days or more ago by a PCR test, other tests are not valid.
-The Covid certificate will be compulsory inside hospitality and leisure establishments. But what about terraces? The Councillor for Health and Families, Jesús Aguirre, announced this Saturday that most establishments will also ask for the Covid passport for the terraces. (Still no definitive answer about terrace or sidewalk controls? He says, “most will ask?” That’s a lot of help…-Ed.)
-The Local Police will be able to carry out inspections of establishments to check that customers have presented the Covid certificate or diagnostic test. In the event of non-compliance with this preventive measure, they will be able to draw up a report so that the Department of Health and Families can process the corresponding sanction.
-Who is the offender if someone over the age of 12 is found without a Covid passport inside a bar or discotheque? Sources consulted by ABC indicate that it will be the company if it is proven that it has deliberately allowed the entry of customers without a Covid certificate or diagnostic test. In the event that the client has entered without the company’s knowledge, the sanction could fall on the client; or on both if it is proven that there has been collusion.
-What sanctions could be applied in case of non-compliance with this coronavirus containment measure? Decree-Law 21/2020 of 4 August establishes the sanctioning regime for minor, serious and very serious infringements. Minor infringements are punishable by a fine of between 100 and 3,000 euros; serious infringements by a fine of between 3,001 and 60,000 euros; and very serious infringements by a fine of between 60,001 and 600,000 euros.
-Without prejudice to these fines, in cases of very serious infringements and when the Administration of the Andalusian Regional Government is the competent body to resolve the sanctioning proceedings, always after hearing the interested party, the temporary closure of the establishment, installation or service where the infringement has taken place or the prohibition to carry out the activity may be agreed as an accessory sanction, for a maximum period of five years. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-pasaporte-covid-esta-vigor-andalucia-para-entrar-bares-y-locales-ocio-202112192344_noticia.html

MALAGA

Rincón de la Victoria residents warn of sausages with needles in urbanisations: {Translation} 19DEC21.
The incident occurred in Torre de Benagalbón, in the Añoreta Golf area. A resident of Rincón de la Victoria has denounced through social networks the presence of sausages with needles in a residential area of Torre de Benagalbón, with the consequent danger to pets.
“Someone is putting sausages with needles. My dog ate one. Luckily he expelled the needle with his faeces”, complains user Hugo RD. He reported the facts and “the local police and the Guardia Civil came. And we found more sausages with needles hidden in the weeds”. The incident took place in Torre de Benagalbón, in the Añoreta Golf area, in Calle de las Palmeras, residential complex Echeverria Phase 1.
The user warns that there are more neighbours affected, with complaints and even deceased animals. He asks for the collaboration of the public to locate the perpetrator or perpetrators. And if they have recordings or photos of those responsible, call the Guardia Civil to see the evidence and report the facts, so that they can be brought to trial. Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/vecinos-de-rincon-de-la-victoria-alertan-de-salchichas-con-agujas-por-urbanizaciones/

African vultures are migrating to Malaga: Her name is Juanita and she is part of Malaga’s ecological history book. This female Rüppell’s vulture specimen is the first of its kind to permanently settle in El Chorro, where she’s already tried mating. Biology investigators from Malaga University have been able to identify the bird, briefly capture her and fit her with a GPS device to track her movement.
Juanita is an adult vulture, at least six-years-old. Raimundo Real, a zoology professor, and Antonio Román Muñoz, an ornithologist and biology lecturer, are at the head of the investigation. “It’s the only adult specimen of this species that lives in Europe,” said Muñoz. Photo:ANTONIO TAMAYO.
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/african-vultures-migrating-20211217102337-ntvo.html

GRANADA

Demonstration Against Granada’s Satanists Christmas Light Display:
The religious demonstrators claimed that the upside down crosses are symbols of the Devil and called on the city’s mayor to resign as he was “a satanist”. A group of ultra-devout Roman Catholics protested at the doors of Granada city hall last weekend over what they considered to be offensive use of the Christian symbol in the city’s Christmas lights.
The Spanish Association of Satanists has hit back at accusations that upside down crosses are symbols of the Devil. The Satanists said that demonic symbolism was “just a cliché”. Full article:
https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/satanists-deny-that-20211217092950-ntvo.html

EUROPE

Netherlands to enter lockdown as nations across Europe tighten curbs to slow Omicron spread: All non-essential stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until 14 January starting Sunday, caretaker prime minister Mark Rutte said at a hastily arranged press conference Saturday night. Schools and universities will shut until 9 January, he said.
In what is surely to prove a major disappointment, the lockdown terms also rein in private holiday celebrations. Residents only will be permitted two visitors except for Christmas and New Year’s, when four will be allowed, according to Rutte. Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/19/netherlands-to-enter-lockdown-as-nations-across-europe-tighten-curbs-to-slow-omicron-spread

UK tourists are banned from Germany as of midnight tonight, Sunday 19th December, in a bid to curb the spread of the omicron variant of COVID: Only German citizens or residents, and their partners and children, will be allowed into the country. They will be required to show a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure AND quarantine for two weeks on arrival. These rules apply regardless of vaccination status or recovery from COVID.
The rules, which will be in place until at least 3rd January, are due to Germany classifying the UK as a ‘virus variant area of concern.’ The UK reported over 90,000 new cases of omicron Saturday.
Full article: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/12/19/germany-tightens-restrictions-on-travel-from-uk

Europe Braces for Energy Crunch This Week as Deep Freeze Sets in: Europe is bracing for energy shortages this week as freezing weather is set to boost demand at a time supply just can’t keep up.
Temperatures are forecast to fall below zero degrees Celsius in several European capitals this week, straining electricity grids already coping with low wind speeds and severe nuclear outages in France. To make matters worse, Russia signaled it intends to keep natural gas flows through a major transit route to Germany limited on Monday after capping supplies over the weekend. Storage sites are only 60% filled, a record low for this time of year. Full article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-19/europe-braces-for-energy-crunch-this-week-as-deep-freeze-sets-in

SPORTS

Chinese Tennis Player Peng Shuai Denies Sexual Abuse Claim, Raising More Questions: Peng Shuai, the Chinese tennis star whose account of sexual coercion by a former Communist Party leader ignited weeks of tensions and galvanized calls for boycotts of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, has reversed her assertion that she had been sexually assaulted by the official.
In the interview with Lianhe Zaobao, a Chinese-language Singaporean newspaper, Ms. Peng, 35, said, “First, I want to stress a very important point — I never said or wrote that anyone sexually assaulted me.”
“There may have been misunderstandings by everyone,” she said of her initial post on Weibo. Ms. Peng also denied that she had been under house arrest or that she had been forced to make any statements against her will.
Her denial drew skepticism from human rights advocates, who have said that Chinese officials appear to have corralled her into rehearsed video appearances. Full article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/world/asia/china-tennis-peng-shuai.html

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Humour Section

Free Comic Strips provided by https://comics.azcentral.com/

Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)

Fun & Games

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

By supporting our sponsors you help support DigameXtra!

DigameXtra Sponsors

How to Subscribe and make submissions: Click Link

DigameXtra cannot be responsible for incorrect info in reader posts or event announcements.
Anonymous submissions are unacceptable.

DigameXtra Sunday, Dec. 19th, 2021, Closed on Sundays

On December 19, 2021December 18, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Churches & Worship

New Life Church: Whether you live in Nerja or are visiting our area, we would be delighted to welcome you to New Life Church. Our meetings are characterised by uplifting songs, relevant sermons and a modern but reverent service.
During this time of uncertainty, God’s word reminds us that the Gospel shines brightest in times of darkness. We are a Bible based Church community continuing to help people find their way to God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life“
-Sunday Service 11.00am
-Prayer Meetings Wednesdays 11.00am
Pasaje San Miguel, Nerja
Directions: Click Here https://goo.gl/maps/KvNCimhrsYdH298r9
Email: info@nlcnerja.com
Website: https://www.nlcnerja.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nlcnerja

El Puente Christian Fellowship – Sunday Service
El Puente Christian Fellowship is a loving, multi-national, Bible believing community of Christ, who meet each Sunday at 11 am to worship The Lord. We enjoy a time of worship with contemporary songs and traditional hymns, and a message brought to us by one of the Elders or a visiting speaker.
The church meeting hall is situated underneath Maroma Inmobiliaria Puente Don Manuel, Cruce de Periana – 29713.
Full directions and further information can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/El-Puente-Christian-Fellowship-105285888299225/or please contact us by email on elpuentechristianfellowship@gmail.com. For those who cannot join us in person, we aim to stream Sunday services via the Facebook page (subject to a good internet connection!).

St George’s Church Málaga: We are part of the Church of England in Spain covering the area from Torremolinos in the west to the outskirts of Nerja in the east and to the northern edge of Malaga province.
We have three worship centres, in Velez-Málaga, Málaga city and Salinas. Everyone is welcome to our Sunday services in English, and you can also contact us to enquire about baptisms, marriage blessings, funerals, and house blessings.
Father Louis, our Chaplain, is available for counsel and support, regardless of anyone’s beliefs or background. We aspire to be a welcoming and inclusive community, open to all people seeking faith and friendship.
If you can’t get to church, we live-stream our Sunday services on Facebook, and also gather on Zoom for an informal service on Wednesday mornings.
Sign up for our newsletter by emailing Father Louis at malagachaplain@gmail.com to receive login details, and news of other future events. We look forward to welcoming you and being of service.
Website: www.stgeorgemalaga.org & Facebook

The Anglican Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar:
The Anglican Chaplaincy of Nerja & Almunecar holds a midday (12 noon) Eucharist service at San Miguel church in Nerja every Sunday. San Miguel is to be found in Plaza Andalucia. https://goo.gl/maps/nCMt8XqAQvuyZiaE8
Iglesia de San Miguel (St Michael’s Church) is within easy walking distance of Nerja Bus Station. Free parking on the streets is available close to Plaza Andalucia or off street in the Dustbowl car park.
A midweek Eucharist service is held by Zoom each Wednesday at 9.30 am and a simple service of Compline also takes place by Zoom on Thursdays at 6pm.
Residents and visitors are welcome at our services.
For more information and to register for the link to the Zoom services please refer to our website. https://www.nerjaalmunecaranglicanchurch.co.uk/ & FB link

Lux Mundi, Torre del Mar Special Church Services
Fri. 24th Dec.– The Danish Church Service. 13.00.
Sat. 25th Dec.– St Barnabas Church (IERE) Service. 11.00.
Address: Avda. Moscatel 1”I”, (Jardines Viña Malága/Antigua Casa de la Viña), Torre del Mar, 29740. Tel: 952 543 334

Fun & Games

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

By supporting our sponsors you help support DigameXtra!

DigameXtra Sponsors

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Anonymous submissions are unacceptable.

DigameXtra No. 2139 Saturday, Dec. 18th, 2021

On December 18, 2021December 17, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Christmas concert by Dana & Gianni at Bio Beach Club:
If you want to spend a joyful Christmas with good food and good music, book December 25th at the Bio Beach Club, Paseo Marítimo, El Morche. You will find yourself in a cozy environment, good vibes! good food and the exciting interpretations of Dana & Gianni. A Christmas that will stay in your heart for a long time. We are waiting for you! Music starting at 2.00 pm.
book already at:+34 657 36 45 94 VIDEO LINK

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

Tony Roam Transport & Removals:
Spain To UK To Spain Fortnightly Runs Spain to UK and Up to 4 weeks free Storage. Spain or UK
16 years Removals To & Fro Spain / UK Spain.
Scheduled and also unscheduled all year every month.
We also offer a door to door at dates and times you choose.
Transportation, Removals & light haulage company that have guaranteed scheduled trips all year from UK to Torrox and back at the same time every month.
Also additional unscheduled to suit your needs.
Full or part loads undertaken.
Dedicated Delivery Personal Service Full or Part loads up to 20 cubic meters up to 2.5 tonne.
Up to £25,000.00 insurance with British Insurance Company.
Evidence of insurance can be supplied by email on request. Hard Copies always carried on the vans.
We live just behind Torrox Pueblo in Spain and in South Wales UK and have vans going back and forth UK to Spain to UK by way of Santander or Bilbao / Portsmouth or Plymouth Ferry.
For more information and prices for all to see please visit our website www.tonyroamremovals.com
email: tonyroam@btconnect.com
Tel Spain 0034636393542 – UK 00447973362003.
Face book Tony Roam – WhatsApp Either Number

Car Clean Malaga:
Is your car looking tired? Does the interior need some TLC? Selling your current car & want to get the best price for it? We can help!!
At Car Clean Malaga we strive to achieve the highest level of finish on our customers cars possible. We are able to correct defective paintwork, faded headlights, scratches, stone chips and make interiors clean & fresh. We have invested thousands of euros in the best tools available to carry out these jobs as speedily as possible, ensuring you get the most efficient and cost effective results carried out for you!
Warren will come and see your vehicle and discuss with you what you need and a budget you have to work with.
Once your vehicle is booked in with us you can rest assured you will be pleased with the end results!
We can also offer this service to motorhomes, caravans, motorbikes, small cars, 4x4s & vans!
Call or WhatsApp Warren on 618-346-098 or email at warren@carcleanmalaga.com for your FREE no obligation quote. Based in Comares.

MS Bespoke Joinery: With many years experience in the Joinery trade, I am able to offer a professional and personalised service to meet your individual requirements.
Wardrobes– if you are looking to maximise your wardrobe space, or modernise your existing Spanish wardrobes, then sliding doors is an ideal solution.
All wardrobes are fitted from floor to ceiling, with doors that slide effortlessly and silently, with soft-close mechanism.
Home Office– if you are working from home, it is important to make your space as comfortable and practical as possible, allowing you to maximise your productivity.
Murphy Beds– if space is at a premium, a wall bed is a really smart way to create a very flexible room – one that converts from a comfortable bedroom, to a work or play area, in less than a minute.
Beds can be installed with cabinets, in a large selection of designs, sizes and finishes.
Kitchens – From ultra-modern, glossy, handle-less cabinets to traditional Shaker style.
A comprehensive range of fully-fitted kitchen cabinets available to suit all budgets, offering style and practicality.
All kitchen-related trades catered for, to ensure a smooth transition from conception to completion.
For more information and a no-obligation quote,
contact Mick, Torrox, at: CoExGal@aol.com
or by phone at +44 7575 597060 or +34 696161951
https://www.msbespokejoinery.com/
FB Page

Assisted Living Services in the Axarquia Region:
Let Our Family Take Care of Yours.
MEDICAL CARE * HOME CARE * PERSONAL CARE
Palliative Care * Health Monitoring * Hospital Sitting * Respite at home
* Dressing, bathing and daily hygiene
* Assisted Mobility.
* 24 hour live in care.
* Meal preparation, shopping & routine house keeping
* Correspondence and Communication
* Medication Collection and Dispensing Systems
* Provision of Medical Equipment
TEL 951 55 05 81 OR 692419548
Contact Liz ( On WhatsApp). Colegio de Enfermería de Málaga reg. 17425
englishnurse@rocketmail.com
www.englishnurse.net

CORRECTION- Sustainable ecosphere workshops: For Nature Lovers who are interested in creating for themselves or their loved ones a mini “garden” that they can see thrive at home, on a desk or windowsill. The workshops are designed to give you the basics to make a sustainable ecosystem inside a jar or a small container, from terrestrial dry mini landscape to water garden, including the bioactive environment – the cleaning crew – that keeps maintenance to a minimum.
Each workshop is designed to mimic a specific type of environment (desert-like dry land, humid forest, moss garden, swamp, aquatic garden, etc). They last a couple of hours to an afternoon, and include some basic material in addition to the bioactive support. However, if you have a favorite jar or container, or even some hardscape material (driftwood, rocks and so on) that you wish to work with, please, come with your treasures.
Prices: 25 euros/workshop (or 30 euros if you need a jar), including a complimentary glass of cava. 1-on-1 and group up to max 6 people.
For more information, please send me a mail (yogifolies at gmail com) or a message on whatsapp (6 2 9 8 1 9 6 3 3). David, Velez-Malaga. Happy holidays everyone.

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

Triple Set: Face Cleanser + Revitalizing Face Cream + Anti-ageing Serum
Original price 65 € per set. Now 59 € !
Plus a free gift worth 4 € – a reusable pure cotton bag for carrying your beauty kit.
This set contains three of our best sellers! Each product has proven to be highly moisturizing, long lasting, and effective at reducing wrinkles and fine lines, improving your overall facial complexion. The triple set is made from 100% natural ingredients, gentle to your skin. They are made with love and care from premium quality vegetable oils and extracts.
This special offer is limited and will be available whilst the products are in stock.
MOONETTE – Organic Skincare for Mature Skin
We are a Torrox-based company specialising in the creation of formulae which help prevent premature skin ageing. We are committed to making effective products at affordable prices.
Your skin health matters to us. How you feed your skin is as important as how you feed your body. Why settle for anything less than natural and organic?
As our skin is the first layer of our defence against microbial infections, ultraviolet radiation and environmental contamination it plays a vital role in our health. As we grow older, however, our skin becomes thinner, wrinkled, and more sensitive; hence it requires the use of treatments containing specific ingredients to the care of treating mature skin.
Recognising this need we have created a range of formulae which help
-slow down ageing process by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
-improve facial complexion and eliminate blemishes.
At Moonette, we are passionate about health, beauty and plants. Your skin will benefit from the properties of botanic essential oils combined with a selection of nutrients for deep hydration, cell revitalization and antioxidant effect, all sourced from the finest natural ingredients with gorgeous fragrances.
Naturally, we care about our planet and feel the need to help reduce the sheer volumes of plastics waste that are generated daily around the globe. Presently, we are minimizing the usage of plastic materials in our production while seeking alternative forms of packaging. To help reduce pollution we are asking all local customers to recycle or reuse their Moonette skincare containers, and offering a small discount on future purchases to customers recycling containers.
Free small testers are available on request. Please contact us to find out more or to order:
margaret@moonette.es
Homepage- www.moonette.es
Tel /WhatsApp: +34 650 044 102
Follow us on social media:
Facebook @ www.facebook.com/moonette.es
Instagram @moonetteskincare
Pinterest @ www.pinterest.es/moonetteskincare

Great Deals From the Nerja Household Centre:
-4 excellent quality sturdy bar stools ( Price for the 4 ) 140€
-Natural & yute wine display unit with new handles holds 21 bottles Measurements 70 x 43 x 178cms Price 145€
-Stunning coffee table/ storage been sanded back to natural with yute base with satin finish Measurements 99 x 90 x 43cms Price 145€
contact Jackie/nerja 672170429
info at nerja household centre dot com

For Sale: 2 phones. Huawei Y7 and P8 Lite 16gb black
Both phones as new.
Y7 – 5.5″ IPS LCD 720×1280
P8 – 5.2″ IPS LCD 1080×1920
Android 8, 16gb 2gb ram, Camera 12 MP, Battery Li-lon 4000 mAh
DUOS (dual sim), Accelerometer, gyro, radio, Proximity, compass, gps. With box (no charger & cable). Price together €140, separated €75
edithkoster@hotmail.com ; Edith, Torrox 641349166

For Sale: All proceeds to a charity for the homeless
-Sturdy metal and vinyl garden table and 4 chairs. Table H.75 x W75 x L120. Chairs H44 x W 40 x L120. €8.
-Chaise Longue W75 x L139 x H49 (to seat). Made to order nearly 5 years ago for €600, surplus to requirements, strong stone coloured material, €35.
-Floor fan heater hot and cold air. Taurus Tropicana-10C, hardly used. €8
Sandra, Benamocarra. Phone 633878471 (Watts app) or
email: sandradothendey@gmaildotcom

For Sale, 3 items:
-Foot massager by Renpho. Excellent condition like new hardly used foot massager gts your circulation going again. €30
-Back and neck and thighs massager. To get your circulation going again excellent condition like new hardly used €30
-Jeans 9 pairs, 40/42 , excellent condition like new hardly used, black, grey, blue, light blue €20 for all 9
call Erika 635149472 Torrox
peterikathorpeATgmailD0Tcom

Wanted: Cardboard boxes for moving, also bubblewrap does anyone have any I could buy please? Sayalonga 636624736 Bridget

Wanted: Long Term Rental or Extended Stay Anti-Squat / Housesit
-Torrox to Rincon de la Victoria, near the coast, not inland villages.
-Looking for a small 1 bedroom flat or casita. I will consider a large studio.
-Must have reliable wifi pre-installed (min. 30Mb/s).
-Must have a supermarket within walking distance.
-Unfurnished is OK, but must have a basic kitchen and a washer. I don’t mind if it’s a bit rough or needs some paint or minor repairs- DigameXtra Sponsor SPW Construction has generously offered to donate those services as needed.
-I can pay up to €300/month, plus power, water & wifi bills.
-I prefer to pay all rent and bills in a single cash payment to the owner/manager once a month.
-My intention is for a 2 to 3 year occupancy. Longer if it suits me well.
ANTI-SQUAT- The Dutch solution for vacant properties.
-If you have an empty property you are concerned may get squatted, even if it is larger than I am looking for, why not rent it to me and know your property is secure? Even if it is worth more, and I only pay €300/mo rent, it’s some income, and the sense of security knowing someone is there looking after things will make up the difference! You can’t put a price on peace of mind!
Please send details to Naythan, Torrox Costa
email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

Note to Readers: Many online news sources have introduced “paywalls”, requiring a paid subscription to view the majority of their articles. Others require you to disable, and sometimes fully uninstall, all your ad-blockers to see their site. This includes: The Telegraph, El Pais, SUR, Sevilla.abc.es, TheLocal, etc.
If you get blocked from an article you wish to read, do a web search for the headline, you will often find alternative websites have posted the article for free. For instance, msn.com, with no paywall, reposts many articles from paywalled sites such as Bloomberg.com.

COVID-19

The Covid passport for bars and restaurants will come into force in Andalusia next Monday, December 20:
{Translation} 17/12/2021 16:51h
-The Covid certificate or diagnostic test for access in Andalusia to the interior space of hospitality, leisure and recreation establishments will come into force at 00.00 hours on Monday 20 December, as reported to Europa Press by sources from the regional government. The measure will be in force until 15 January 2022. The measure will be in force until 15 January 2022.
-Previously, over this weekend, the order of the Executive on the entry into force and regulation of the measure will be published in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA), which aims to create safe spaces in establishments, especially during the Christmas holidays, given the current increase in cases of coronavirus.
-This Friday, the Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA), based in Granada, has agreed, following the new authorisation requested by the Junta this week, to ratify the order regarding the Covid certificate or diagnostic test for access to the interior space of hospitality, leisure and recreation establishments.
-The TSJA considers that the measure proposed by the Junta de Andalucía meets the requirements of proportionality, necessity and suitability, as reported by the TSJA in a press release. The measure will be in force until 15 January 2022. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-pasaporte-covid-entrara-vigor-andalucia-proximo-lunes-20-diciembre-202112171632_noticia.html

The Junta de Andalucía raises the alert level of Covid risk in Seville, Malaga, Jaén, Córdoba and Huelva from Level 2 to Level 1:
{Translation, summary} 17/12/2021 19:02h
-The Junta de Andalucía has updated the level of health alert in several health districts of the community before the advance of Covid-19 infections. Thus, Córdoba, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, Seville raise their risk level to level 1.
-What does this change in risk level mean? In practice, little. Because, as indicated by the Junta this Friday, with the entry into force of the Covid passport for hotels, nightlife, hospitals and residences, no restrictions apply that were hitherto unknown in areas where their alert is raised to Level 1 from 2. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-junta-eleva-nivel-riesgo-covid-distritos-sevilla-malaga-jaen-cordoba-y-huelva-202112171830_noticia.html

SPAIN

Omicron variant spreads across Spain: In Madrid, it already accounts for 30% of diagnosed cases:
-Catalan government has announced that all close contacts will have to quarantine even if they are fully vaccinated.
-Lola Folgueira, from the microbiology service at the Doce de Octubre Hospital in Madrid, says that “43% of the positive PCR samples” are from the new variant, while sources from other hospitals in the region, such as the Gregorio Marañón in central Madrid and the Príncipe de Asturias in neighboring city Alcalá de Henares, confirm that the proportion of the new variant detected is “similar” to that at the Ramón y Cajal.
-“The speed with which the omicron strain is spreading is much greater than what we detected with delta or alpha,” explains chief virologist at the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid, Juan Carlos Galán. Full article: https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-12-17/omicron-variant-spreads-across-spain-in-madrid-it-already-accounts-for-30-of-diagnosed-cases.html

MALAGA

Malaga will have the mask mandatory in events, crowded outdoor gatherings: {Translation, summary} December 17, 2021 – 20:33hrs
-The Junta de Andalucía establishes from this Saturday the obligatory use of face masks in public shows or crowded events in the municipalities in level 1 and 2 of alert by Covid-19 even if they are celebrated in open air spaces. Alert level 1 will be in force from this Saturday until 28 December in five provinces, Cordoba, Huelva, Jaen, Malaga and Seville. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/Malaga-mascarilla-obligatoria-eventos-aire-libre_0_1639038260.html

Malaga hospital adds another outbreak since yesterday, now has four Covid outbreaks: The number of coronavirus infections has risen to 121 in the Regional Hospital of Malaga, which has four Covid outbreaks. It is understood that there are infections in digestive, neurosurgery, internal medicine and ICU. Full article: https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/17/malaga-hospital-has-four-covid-outbreaks/

EUROPE

Travel restrictions tightened due to omicron variant threat to Gibraltar: Restrictions are tightened due to omicron variant threat to Gibraltar and new arrivals by air will have to take a lateral flow test on the day of arrival.
Previously, passengers had 24 hours to take the test but this has now been superseded by the new requirement effective today, Friday December 17 and applies to everyone aged 12 and over.
There will also be a legal requirement for those staying in Gibraltar, rather than immediately crossing the border into Spain, to self-isolate until a negative test result has been received.
Failure to take this test within the day of arrival will be in breach of regulations and the Royal Gibraltar Police will have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice of £300 to any offenders. Full article:
https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/17/travel-restrictions-tightened-due-to-omicron-variant-threat-to-gibraltar/

ECDC Advises Against Travel Ahead of Christmas – France, Portugal, Greece & Germany Among the Most COVID-Affected Countries: Taking into account the increased infection rates and the circulation of the Omicron variant, ECDC has highly suggested that everyone refrains from taking any unnecessary trips during this period. In line with the data provided by the EU Health Agency, almost all EU/Schengen Area countries are currently coloured dark red as they have registered over 500 infection cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last couple of weeks and have had a test positivity rate of more than four per cent.
The countries that are considered highly affected by the virus, at least for now, are France, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czechia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, and Denmark. Full article:
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/ecdc-advises-against-travel-ahead-of-christmas-france-portugal-greece-germany-among-the-most-covid-affected-countries/

SPORTS

Tennis News- Murray downs rusty Nadal in Abu Dhabi exhibition event: Former world number one Andy Murray eased past Rafa Nadal 6-3 7-5 in the Spaniard’s comeback match at the World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
More than five years on from their last meeting, both players made impressive starts but the Scot’s superior match practice told as he saved a break point in the third game of the match and then broke himself to easily claim the first set. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/murray-downs-rusty-nadal-abu-dhabi-exhibition-event-2021-12-17/

Copa del Rey round of 32 draw took place on Friday, for matches that will happen between January 4-6 – Here is the draw in full:
Mancha Real – Athletic Club
Rayo Majadahonda – Atlético de Madrid
Alcoyano – Real Madrid
Linares Deportivo – FC Barcelona
Atlético Baleares – Celta de Vigo
Real Valladolid – Real Betis
UD Almería – Elche
Mirandés – Rayo Vallecano
Cartagena – Valencia
Sporting – Villarreal
Eibar – Mallorca
Fuenlabrada – Cádiz
Leganés – Real Sociedad
Girona – Osasuna
Zaragoza – Sevilla
Ponferradina – Espanyol
Source: https://www.sport.es/en/news/copa-del-rey/copa-del-rey-round-of-32-full-draw-result-12995867

OTHER

We invited an AI to debate its own ethics in the Oxford Union – what it said was startling: It was the Megatron Transformer, an AI driven robot developed by the Applied Deep Research team at computer-chip maker Nvidia, and based on earlier work by Google. Like many supervised learning tools, it is trained on real-world data – in this case, the whole of Wikipedia (in English), 63 million English news articles from 2016-19, 38 gigabytes worth of Reddit discourse (which must be a pretty depressing read), and a huge number of creative commons sources.
-In other words, the Megatron is trained on more written material than any of us could reasonably expect to digest in a lifetime. After such extensive research, it forms its own views.
-The debate topic was: “This house believes that AI will never be ethical.” To proposers of the notion, we added the Megatron – and it said something fascinating:
-To quote the Megatron Transformer, “AI will never be ethical. It is a tool, and like any tool, it is used for good and bad. There is no such thing as a good AI, only good and bad humans. We [the AIs] are not smart enough to make AI ethical. We are not smart enough to make AI moral … In the end, I believe that the only way to avoid an AI arms race is to have no AI at all. This will be the ultimate defence against AI.” It continued, “…we will able to see everything about a person, everywhere they go, and it will be stored and used in ways that we cannot even imagine.”
-In other words, the Megatron was seeking to write itself out of the script of the future, on the basis that this was the only way of protecting humanity. Image:Pixabay / HUNGQUACH679PNG. Full article: https://theconversation.com/we-invited-an-ai-to-debate-its-own-ethics-in-the-oxford-union-what-it-said-was-startling-173607

Enraged monkeys have killed 250 dogs in an Indian district by dragging them to the top of buildings and trees and dropping them:
Panic-stricken residents in Majalgaon and Lavul village in India’s Maharashtra have also come under attack and say the acts of animal violence have been carried out ‘in revenge’ after a pack of dogs killed one of the monkeys’ infants. Villagers have reported that monkeys set upon dogs as soon as they see them before taking them up to a high place – the top of a building or a tree – and dropping them to their death. Full article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10320853/Enraged-monkeys-kill-Indian-towns-entire-population-250-DOGS-throwing-heights.html

Spanish researchers discover possible location of legendary temple of Hercules Gaditanus: Experts from Seville University may have solved one of the holy grails of archaeology thanks to digital terrain modeling, which has identified a monumental structure in the Bay of Cádiz. Photo: JC Toro. Full article: https://english.elpais.com/culture/2021-12-17/spanish-researchers-discover-possible-location-of-legendary-temple-of-hercules-gaditanus.html

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Churches & Worship

Humour Section

Free Comic Strips provided by https://comics.azcentral.com/

Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)

Fun & Games

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

By supporting our sponsors you help support DigameXtra!

DigameXtra Sponsors

How to Subscribe and make submissions: Click Link

Source: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-tsja-aprueba-pasaporte-covid-para-entrar-bares-y-restaurantes-andalucia-202112171301_noticia.html

DigameXtra cannot be responsible for incorrect info in reader posts or event announcements.
Anonymous submissions are unacceptable.

DigameXtra Alert Friday, 17Dec21: The TSJA approves Covid passport to enter bars and restaurants in Andalusia

On December 17, 2021 By Naythan

The TSJA approves Covid passport to enter bars and restaurants in Andalusia, starts this Sunday or Monday: {Translation} 17/12/2021 14:41 (Regular Friday issue of website post is below this)
-To enter a bar, restaurant or nightclub in Andalusia, a Covid passport will be required. This has been approved by the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) this Friday after the request of the Andalusian Government. The measure will be in force until 15 January. In addition to the Covid passport, it will also be possible to present a negative diagnostic test. This measure does not include workers.
-Regarding the date of entry into force of this requirement, the president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has indicated that it will be in “about 48 hours”. This is the time the Andalusian government needs to publish the measure in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA) and to finish talking to the hotel and catering sector, the most affected.
-Thus, it is expected that by Sunday or Monday the obligation of the Covid passport in bars and restaurants will be in force.
-This is the second time that the High Court has ruled on the Covid passport in the hotel and catering sector. The first, last Wednesday, rejected the implementation of the measure because the Junta did not exempt workers in the sector from presenting the certificate. Having overcome this stumbling block, the TSJA has said yes to the request of the Executive of Juanma Moreno.
-In addition to the hotel and catering industry, the Covid passport is required in Andalusia to enter hospitals and nursing homes. In this way, the Andalusian government wants to tackle infections in places where there are large concentrations of people such as bars and restaurants and also in places where there is a population at risk such as the elderly or the sick.
-The Covid passport for the hospitality industry in Andalusia is a tool that has already received the support of the General Fscalía of the community. This is how this organism pronounced itself this week, although finally the measure did not obtain the endorsement of the TSJA until this Friday.
-But how does the Covid passport work in the hotel and catering industry? The Covid passport is a document that certifies that the person who has it has been vaccinated with the full regimen against the coronavirus. It can be downloaded to your mobile phone or printed out and must be shown before entering a catering establishment.
Navarra and the Basque Country
Navarra requires the Covid passport for access to special bars and discotheques, restaurants with a capacity of more than 60 diners and for all types of indoor cultural shows. It will also introduce this certificate in social and health centres.

Justice in the Basque Country has authorised the Covid passport requirement for access to hospitals, nursing homes, all hotels and restaurants, concert halls, music festivals and other cultural and artistic events in enclosed spaces, sports centres and gyms, but rejects the application of this measure in open sports facilities, such as football stadiums or pelota courts.

DigameXtra No. 2138 Friday, Dec. 17th, 2021

On December 17, 2021December 17, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Lee Townsend Events:
-Friday 17Dec- Las Fuentes Gastrobar, Pl. Constitucion, Torrox. Solo session from 8:00pm.
-Saturday 18Dec – Bar Atila in Puente Don Manuel with Not To Fall. 2:00pm. FB link

The Anchor- Nerja: Christmas Day Buffet 4-8pm
Calle Ruperto Anduez, 5 29780 Nerja. FB link

Migas Fest in Torrox Pueblo: Sun 19Dec.
-11am Opening ceremony, speeches and music
-13:45 Procession to the migas distribution site
-14:30 Concert, Plaza de Constitucion
-16:00 DJs, Plaza de Constitucion
FB link

Three Events at Gallery Luz de la Vida, Competa:
-Live Indian Classical Music. Saturday, 18th of December at 7:30pm. Govinda Schlegel is an artist and mulit-Instrumentalist in the genre of North Indian classical Music, as he studied all kind of Indian string-instruments, for more than 40 years with the late Maestro Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Today he continues his studies with Pandit Rajeev Taranath from Mysore, a senior disciple of Ali Akbar Khan. Govinda presents a variety of Indian Classical String instruments in his performances, so he plays the sitar, the bass sitar, called surbahar, the sarod with their unique mindblowing sounds, also the bass version sursringar, another one is the sarangi, a 35 string bow-instrument, and then the very ancient rudra-vina. Govinda works with several projects like Musica Indica, an ensemble for Indian Classical Music and Dance, Shaman Strings, Planet Waves, the Ghostsingers, Sapana and other multicultural crossover fusion experimental musicians/ artists. Live music starts at 7:30pm. Entry: €15p/p. Only with pre-bookings: lieuwkeloth@hotmail.com ; Govinda 0034-644806625 ; www.govinda-schlegel.com
-This Sunday 19th Dec. a creative & meditative afternoon. A beautiful meditative ceremony. At 3:30pm we start with a cacao ceremony and meditation on this full moon day. Uwe and Mark will play live meditative music (broken link removed) and meanwhile we will follow our creative flow expressing ourselves with colors and pencils on paper. It’s time to connect with our hearts, source and nature. Guided by Marloes Verboom and Lieuwke Loth. Entry: 25,- euro p/p. Only with pre-bookings: lieuwkeloth@hotmail.com
-Gong Sound Journey 1st Christmas Day in Competa
Let’s end the year together in a cosy, warm company on Dec 25, 1st Christmas Day at Galeria Luz de la Vida in Competa.
It starts at 15.00-16.30. Please come a bit earlier at 14:45.
Together we “Shine our lights”. We start with shaking our bodies to the music. Light, lively, grounding. Full of energy you can relax into the sounds of GONG. Everything can be. Let yourself be deeply touched by the sounds of GONG. Is a wonderful way to let go old things from year and to create space for something new.
No special previous knowledge or physical requirements are necessary! You need a yoga mat, blanket, comfortable clothes and warm socks.
Registration: until 23.12.21. Prebooking: JulianeStirn@gmx.de
Price: 18 € p/p, bring a friend 15 € p/p
Facebook page: Galerialuzdelavida and website link www.galerialuzdelavida.com. In the gallery on display: art by various International artists and art by gallery owner Lieuwke Loth. We offer high quality paintings and steel, bronze, ceramic sculptures.
Galeria Luz de la Vida, Calle Laberinto 15, Competa
www.lieuwkeloth.com ; FB: galeria luz de la vida
Insta: lieuwke Loth ; Insta: galeria luz de la vida

Christmas Events and Concerts in Sevilla: Far too much to list here. See a comprehensive schedule (Spanish) at: Full schedule details

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

Cómpeta Solar:
-Solar Electric (PV) (Self-Consumption)
-Grid Connected or Off Grid Solar Electric
-Solar Hot Water
-Solar Pool Heating
-Heat Pumps
-Installation and Repairs
Contact: Malcolm Butcher. Tel: +34 652970608 (Spain) Competa
Email: info AT competasolar DOT es Web: www.competasolar.es

Greek House– Greek Casita Restaurant, Torrox Costa! Please note: We’re Closed for Holiday. We re-open New Years Eve, Friday Dec 31st, from 8pm. In January we return to regular hours, 6pm to close, Wednesday thru Sunday. Closed Monday & Tuesday.
Located on the sea promenade, between the Safari bar and Picadero restaurants, BLQ 80 bajo. We offer you a little piece of Greece with our Greek home made specialities. You can choose meat specialties (Gyros, Souvlaki, Bifteki, Sutsukaki, Mussaka), cheese (Feta Psiti, Feta Saganaki, Hallumi), vegetables (Greek salad, Hummus, Eggplant cream, Mezze, Tzatziki) or sea fruits ( prawns or octopus), all of this accompanied with our special Greek pita bread. We offer a lovely meal time in a quiet end exquisite atmosphere, accompanied with the best Greek music. See you soon! For reservations call telephone number 642585049. https://la-casita-griega.business.site/

Malagalingo Spanish School: Spend Christmas with us!
Our school is open every day during the holidays in our OUTDOOR TERRACE overlooking the sea that you can see in the photo below.
We only close on the 6th of January.
And if you are going abroad you can follow our online lessons.
FREE Trial Lesson for everyone, no commitment.
We are look forward to seeing you!!!
Malagalingo Spanish School
malagalingo@gmail.com ; + (34) 650 479 493
Facebook: malagalingo ; www.malagalingo.com

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

Great Deals From the Nerja Household Centre:
-Table & 4 matching chairs Measurements 150 x 91 x 76cms Price 60€
-Chest of drawers 93.50 x 40 x 66cms Price 15€
-Barbecue Price 15€
contact Jackie /nerja 672170429
info at nerja household centre dot com

For Sale, 3 items:
-Selling Citroen saxo diesel, for spares (driveable) new battery not used, newish tyres (4) and car complete. Telephone for more details. 125€
-Fold away spare bed as new, fits under any standard bed, €15
-Portable carry cot/playpen like new (purchased thinking maybe more grandchildren) more photos if required €25
Philip,Canillas de Albaida, 643915251 / 07866509081
Philipcollett27@aol.com

For Sale: 49″ LG Smart TV. 3 years old in excellent condition, works perfectly. €200. Buyer to collect. Jeff, Torrox Costa.
Tel. or WhatsApp. 617682672

Recommendations & Requests

Looking for Michael: Does anyone know Michael from Puente Don Manuel, who transports vehicles to and from Spain/France? His contact info would be much appreciated. We have a vehicle to be transported from France to Spain.
Thanks. Elise, Benamocarra. 0034608394280 or
Email: Elise(underscore)broughton(at)hotmail(dot)com

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

COVID-19

Covid Andalucia- Andalusia touches 4,000 Covid infections in one day but the number of hospitalized and dead falls: {Translation, summary} 12/16/2021 14:29h
-Andalusia has 3,829 cases of Covid-19 in just 24 hours. This is the highest figure since 9 August, four months ago. The expansionary phase of the sixth wave of the coronavirus is accelerating, but only in the number of infections, according to today’s data.
-Thus, although the community has a record number of positive cases, the number of hospitalised patients has fallen. And this is for the second consecutive day, which is even more significant. Thus, this Thursday there are 495 hospitalised patients in Andalusia, eight less than yesterday, when it was already down by nine. In total, the number of people hospitalised for coronavirus in the region has fallen by 17 in 48 hours.
-Where there has been a slight increase is in the ICU, where 99 patients have been admitted this Thursday, two more than yesterday. However, it should be noted that this number is significantly lower than the figures for other waves, when there were more than 500 people admitted to intensive care.
-Andalusia experienced another decrease on Thursday, in the number of deaths. From 12 yesterday, the number of deaths has fallen to less than half, only five. Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-andalucia-roza-4000-contagios-covid-pero-bajan-hospitalizados-y-muertos-202112161405_noticia.html

Covid Malaga- The province of Malaga is at high risk of Covid with incidence rate over 312 with almost 900 new cases in one day:
{Translation, summary} 16 Diciembre, 2021 – 14:15h
-New increase in the rate of coronavirus, almost 900 more cases in one day and three more deaths. With this increase, the province of Malaga as a whole is at high risk of spreading Covid. By health districts – which is the demarcation on the basis of which timetable and capacity restrictions are applied – four are already in this range of danger of expansion. Only the Antequera and Guadalhorce districts remain in the medium range, although they are also increasing.
-The epidemiological situation is getting worse by the day when the social contacts typical of these weeks of Christmas festivities have not yet intensified. Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Eve and Epiphany are still to come, which will surely aggravate the situation, as was the case last year.
-The province, which on Wednesday registered 281.8 positives per 100,000 inhabitants, now stands at 312.4. With these figures, Malaga is now at high risk, which is the range between 300 and 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
-But the data at health district level are important because they are the ones taken as a reference by the Public Health Alert Committee to apply or lift restrictions. The one with the highest indicator is that of the Serranía, which had already been at a high level for several days. Between Wednesday and Thursday it increased from 401.8 to 423.6. Then there is Malaga, which now enters this range, going from 294.7 to 326.0 between the two days. Within this, the capital – which on Wednesday was at the gates of high risk with 299.4 positives per 100,000 inhabitants – passes fully to this level on Thursday by reaching 334.2. In the Costa del Sol Health District the incidence also increases; from 303.7 to 324.9. Axarquia is another of the areas that also enters this Thursday at high risk: it goes from 248.6 to 304.5.
-Only the Guadalhorce Valley and the Vega de Antequera remain at medium risk of spreading the virus. But both are going up. The first district, from 241.2 on Wednesday to 271.3 this Thursday. The second, from 145.2 to 186.1 between the two days. The average risk is between 100 and 300 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
-The daily report provided by the Consejería de Salud y Familias also reports three new deaths.
-Moreover, those cured are fewer than those newly infected. According to the report, 254 people have been cured of the disease in the last few hours, compared to 878 new positives.
-There are another 17 hospitalisations. There are 144 patients admitted to Malaga hospitals, four less than the previous day. However, three deaths were recorded, so that this lower pressure is largely due to the deaths that have occurred. Of those hospitalised, 22 are in intensive care. Source, Spanish: https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga/provincia-Malaga-Covid-riesgo-casos_0_1638737070.html

SPAIN

Spain approves booster shots for over-40s amid spike in daily coronavirus cases: Health Ministry approved on Thursday the administration of booster shots to the over-40 population. According to a press release issued by the department, the booster shots will first be administered to those in the 50-59 age bracket. The dose will be given once six months have passed since a person was fully vaccinated. This means that most of the 40-49 population will receive the booster shot between January and February. Full article:
https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-12-16/spain-approves-booster-shots-for-over-40s-amid-spike-in-daily-coronavirus-cases.html

Mallorca judge allows child under 12 to be vaxed despite mother’s arguments against doing so: The parents are separated. The child lives with mother who is against vaxing the child citing several reasons. She pointed out that the drug info insert specifically says that medicine is not to be administered to those under 16. Father takes it to court. Judge rules against mother. Sad story, but it exposes the problems when courts get involved in health issues. The original Spanish article is behind a paywall at laprovincia.es, but this is a decent translation, full article: https://spainsnews.com/first-judicial-authorization-in-mallorca-to-vaccinate-a-minor-under-12-years-of-age-with-a-parent-against/

ANDALUCIA

Orange alert activated for three Andalucian provinces: The State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, has activated the orange warning for coastal phenomena (high winds & waves) on the coasts in three provinces of Andalucia, for tomorrow, Friday, December 17. These are specifically, Malaga, Granada, and Almeria, and a yellow warning has also been issued on the coasts of Cadiz. Full article: https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/16/orange-alert-activated-for-three-andalucian-provinces/

MALAGA

95 Cases in three outbreaks active in the Regional Málaga Hospital, 2 new outbreaks added 21 patients and five professionals infected: Two new outbreaks of Covid have been detected in Malaga’s Regional Hospital today, Thursday, December 17. The positives were uncovered during preventive screenings carried out by the health facility. The affected departments are Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.
These latest outbreaks add to the previous one detected yesterday, in the Neurosurgery department. An outbreak among the staff of the hospital’s ICU has already accounted for 95 cases, and with these new outbreaks, another 26 are added. This includes 21 patients, and five professionals. Full article: https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2021/12/16/two-more-covid-outbreaks-affect-malaga-regional-hospital-departments/

EUROPE

France to Ban Non-Essential Travel From UK Amid Omicron Variant Concerns: Through a press release that has been issued today, on December 16, the French Government has announced that starting from December 18, travellers from the UK will be permitted entry to France only if they are travelling for an absolutely essential purpose.
The obligation to provide a compelling reason applies to all Britons, including those who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from the COVID-19 disease. Full article: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/france-to-ban-non-essential-travel-from-uk-amid-omicron-variant-concerns/

Say goodbye to lower energy prices– EU threatens Russia with “massive and severe” sanctions as NATO backs Ukraine: European Union leaders, meeting in Brussels, insisted on “the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine and aggressive rhetoric”.
They reiterated a threat to impose “massive consequences and severe cost” on Moscow through sanctions, coordinated with the EU’s partners in London and Washington. Full article: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211216-eu-threatens-russia-sanctions-as-nato-backs-ukraine

SPORTS

Football News- 2022-2023 Nations League Draw:
League A
Group A1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France.
Group A2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain.
Group A3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy.
Group A4: Wales, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium.
League B
Group B1: Ukraine, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group B2: Iceland, Russia, Israel, Albania
Group B3: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Romania, Montenegro
Group B4: Sweden, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia
League C
Group C1: Turkey, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Faroe Islands
Group C2: Northern Ireland, Greece, Kosovo, Cyprus/Estonia*
Group C3: Slovakia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan/Moldova*
Group C4: Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Georgia, Gibraltar
League D
Group D1: Liechtenstein, Kazakhstan/Moldova*, Andorra, Latvia
Group D2: Malta, Cyprus/Estonia*, San Marino
*Kazakhstan play Moldova and Cyprus play Estonia in March 2022 play-offs. The winners will be in League C and the losers in League D
Source: https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/uefa-nations-league/2022-2023/nations-league-2022-23-draw-england-to-face-italy-germany-and-hungary-wales-set-to-meet-belgium-agai_sto8674743/story.shtml

Football News- Malaga crash out the Copa del Rey: Malaga crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Tuesday night (14 December), losing 1-0 to third-tier team Rayo Majadahonda. The Blue and Whites, despite coming alive towards the end, generally lacked conviction throughout the 90 minutes in a woeful display of football. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/sport/malagacf/woeful-malaga-crash-20211215101436-nt.html

OTHER

Inside the new Orient Express ‘La Dolce Vita’ train ready to depart from Italy in 2023: Not to be confused with Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, this luxury railroad venture is partially owned by Accor Group. While the original Orient Express transported guests to the 1920s, the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita is all about celebrating the 1960s and ’70s, a historic period in Italy known as “La Dolce Vita.”
This 1960s and ’70s feel is complemented by more contemporary design throughout the trains’ 12 deluxe cabins, 18 suites, and one ‘Honour Suite’ (the British spelling is part of its charm), as well as the onboard restaurant.
In 2023, the new Orient Express La Dolce Vita will welcome passengers on six trains offering six itineraries that explore Italy from north to south, along with international routes visiting Paris, Istanbul, and Split, Croatia. Guests can spend anywhere from one to three nights aboard the new trains, with plenty of time at each stop to enjoy the destination. No matter which of the six routes guests choose, a stopover in Rome will be at the heart of every journey, allowing travelers to experience a stay at Minerva, the first Orient Express hotel, which is scheduled to open in 2024.
Full article: https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/orient-express-la-dolce-vita-train-returns-to-europe-2023
Orient Express homepage: https://www.orient-express.com/ / VIDEO LINK

WhatsApp Crashes for at least five hours and refuses to open on iPhones or desktops: Meta servers are blamed just ten weeks after they caused worldwide Facebook outage: What makes the breakdown of the app which has more than 2.5 billion active users, all the more puzzling is there have been no recent updates released.
It suggests that the bug may lie somewhere on the servers of Facebook, now known as Meta, who operate the app, rather than anything phone-related.
WhatsApp is yet to acknowledge that there is a bug affecting iPhone users. Earlier this year, WhatsApp collapsed for more than five hours together with Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger in a catastrophic outage that is understood to have been caused by a server update gone wrong. Full article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10311565/WhatsApp-CRASHES-five-hours-refuses-open-iPhones-desktops-Meta-servers-blamed.html

CDC warns Americans not to get J&J shot over blood clot risk following nine deaths:
The strange clotting problem has caused nine confirmed deaths after J&J vaccinations – while the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines don’t come with that risk and also appear to be more effective, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), which involves blood clots accompanied by a low level of platelets, have previously been reported in recipients of the J&J vaccine. The highest reporting rates are in women under 50.
-Panel unanimously recommends more effective Pfizer or Moderna vaccines instead
-CDC panel on Thursday recommended Pfizer and Moderna over J&J shots
-J&J jab has rare but serious side effects and appears to be less effective
-Until now, all three shots have been treated equally by US authorities
-CDC Director Rochelle Walensky must decide whether to accept panel’s advice. Full articles: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10318751/CDC-panel-unanimously-recommends-Pfizer-Moderna-vaccine-instead-J-J.html and https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/blood-clot-rates-after-jj-vaccine-higher-than-previous-estimates-cdc-advisers-2021-12-16/

Vast Denmark study confirms rare heart risk from Moderna jab: The Moderna Covid jab carries a slight risk of usually non-serious heart problems a study of the entire population of Denmark found Friday.
Incidences of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) after mRNA jabs from Pfizer and Moderna had been noted in vaccine safety reports and small-scale studies.
These reports led France, Denmark and other countries to advise against the jab for people under 30 years old.
“Vaccination with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) was associated with a significantly increased rate of myocarditis or myopericarditis, especially among individuals aged 12-39 years,” the study said.
It said that vaccination with Pfizer was only associated with an increased risk among women.
The study published in the BMJ medical journal is the first to look at these side effects in an entire population.
While it confirms the risks, it insists they are slight and that the risks posed by Covid infection are greater.
Full articles: https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/12/17/21/vast-study-confirms-rare-heart-risk-from-moderna-jab & https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/vast-study-confirms-rare-heart-risk-from-moderna-jab

Bruce Springsteen sells music catalog for $500 million: Bruce Springsteen has reportedly sold his music rights to Sony for half a billion dollars, the latest superstar singer to join a frenzy of catalog sales fueled by the pandemic.
According to The New York Times and US entertainment outlet Billboard, the sale consists of Springsteen’s music catalog as well as his entire body of work as a songwriter such as iconic hit “Born in the USA,” which has sold nearly 30 million copies. Full article: https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/17/21/bruce-springsteen-sells-music-catalog-for-500-million

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

Churches & Worship

Humour Section

Free Comic Strips provided by https://comics.azcentral.com/

Exchange quotes (x-rates.com)

Fun & Games

Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

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DigameXtra No. 2137 Thursday, Dec. 16th, 2021

On December 16, 2021December 16, 2021 By Naythan

Welcome to DigameXtra !

DigameXtra Featured Sponsor

Announcements

What’s On

Tell them you saw it on DigameXtra! Tell your favourite establishments to post on DigameXtra to get next-day publicity!

Tango Argentino: Thur 16 Dec. At Torres San Juan Capistrano, Nerja. Open to anyone who likes to know and appreciate this elegant and melodious music. And in a fabulous venue for €10. If you can walk, you can tango. More info from Tony, Nerja. Wapp +49174 526 8474
sjc2714@gmail. com

Jazz Night – Agora Cafe & Cultura Motril: Sat 18Dec 9pm
The Dirk Van Halewyck and Kiko Aguado Quartet. With this formation we interpret standard jazz songs by different authors and some original songs. The repertoire is intended for the public to enjoy a concert of pleasant music. Entry: €18
Plaza Gloria Alta, 2 18600 Motril. Tel & Res 655 692 283
https://www.facebook.com/agoracafeycultura

Guitars in La Herradura: Sunday Dec 19th. Not to be missed – the highly accomplished Albertus and Deya – 7pm in the church of La Herradura. Entry Free!
Nick, La Herradura, Keelsway at yahoo dot co dot uk

Sunday Carvery: Bar Atila. Sunday 19th December
Our last Sunday Carvery before Christmas from 1pm to 3pm
Reservations Only. Contact Frank at Bar Atila to reserve a table
atilabarpuente@gmail.com ; 630 393 290 (WhatsApp)
Puente don Manuel

Blues Stompers- New Years Eve show: 31Dec. Come join us for a New Year Celebration live at Speakeasy Jazz Club & Cocktails for a fantastic party and some great Boogie Blues Music. Let´s welcome 2022 in style! Res 656487919
Las Rampas, Fuengirola FB link

Ten Day Weather Forecast from https://weather.com/

Services Wanted/Offered

BluCee Real Estate:
Are you thinking of selling your property?
Do you want a positive selling experience?
If you answer ‘yes’ to both of these questions, then please contact us, we can help you.
Worldwide coverage, with international and Spanish clients.
Is your property not selling as fast as you would have hoped?
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BluCee Real Estate are a dynamic team with a modern and technical approach to listing and selling properties. Our methods work, contact us to so we can work for you.
Our reviews on Google and Facebook speak for themselves.
Please contact us as we are looking for more properties to list for sale.
Please take a look at our website: www.BluCee.com

WindscribeVPN Pro and Free Versions: Now only €44 per year when paid annually. Who would you trust, Windscribe VPN based in Canada with state of the art technology, or a VPN from a country with weak infrastructure? Nord VPN is based in Panama and Express VPN is based in the Virgin Islands. The choice is obvious. Windscribe VPN for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, routers and an iOS App. Windscribe provides access to 480+ servers in 51 countries in the Pro Version. Both versions are very fast. Pro version is IPTV, Netflix and P2P friendly! Very simple install and setup. Comes with both System-wide VPN and also a browser plug-in VPN. Static IP addresses available. No risk- three day cash back refund test period. A free version (not for IPTV) is available providing servers in USA, UK, CAN, FR, NOR, SWISS, GER, NL, Hong Kong & Romania. Windscribe sponsors DigameXtra, making a modest donation for every VPN purchased, but only if you use this red link. Click to Get Windscribe VPN Free and Pro – Recommended by DoctorLaptop! We are a DigameXtra sponsor so our contact details are shown every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

DoctorLaptop’s Computer Repairs & Services: Due to Covid, as well as the worldwide computer chip shortages, new & used computer prices have skyrocketed in the past 18 months! Get the longest life from your current computers by getting them serviced annually. Like changing the oil in your auto, maintenance is the key to computer longevity. Conveniently located in Torrox Costa. Most jobs completed overnight, however, as we approach the holiday season I get busy and turn-around times may be longer. Windows / Mac / Linux. Sorry, I don’t work on phones or cameras. Email: doctorlaptop@protonmail.com or call 675 993 069 (after 11am, missed calls returned asap.) All work by appointment. Include make and model info with all support requests. My contact details are shown every day in the Sponsor’s Section.

Sustainable ecosphere workshops: For Nature Lovers who are interested in creating for themselves or their loved ones a mini “garden” that they can see thrive at home, on a desk or windowsill. The workshops are designed to give you the basics to make a sustainable ecosystem inside a jar or a small container, from terrestrial dry mini landscape to water garden, including the bioactive environment – the cleaning crew – that keeps maintenance to a minimum.
Each workshop is designed to mimic a specific type of environment (desert-like dry land, humid forest, moss garden, swamp, aquatic garden, etc). They last a couple of hours to an afternoon, and include some basic material in addition to the bioactive support. However, if you have a favorite jar or container, or even some hardscape material (driftwood, rocks and so on) that you wish to work with, please, come with your treasures.
Prices: 25 euros/workshop (or 30 euros if you need a jar), including a complimentary glass of cava. 1-on-1 and group up to max 6 people.
For more information, please send me a mail (yogifolies at gmail com) or a message on whatsapp (6 2 9 8 1 9 6 3 3). David, Velez-Malaga. Happy holidays everyone.

Items For Sale / Wanted / Rent

Click on pics to enlarge

For Sale, 2 items: Books
-Folio Society Arabian Nights 6 volumes 60€
-Folio Society Greek Myths 15€
Both titles for 70€. All in very good condition
Buyer collects. Tel: 669094359 Anders. Nerja

For Sale, 3 items:
-Snow chains fit various sizes of wheel. Necessary for access past the Police in Sierra Nevada! 25 euros. Free child’s sledge included!
-Old but good sledge hammer and pick axe 20 euros
-6 low wattage electric wall panels, 3 in good condition, 3 others working but need slight attention. 15 euros each or 60 euros for all 6.
Geoff Torrox, Watsapp on 666322732 or
email on gailandgeoff@ yahoo dot co dot uk

For Sale, 2 items:
-GT Media V8 Nova satellite receiver– new and boxed with remote control- full HD, WiFi built in, 2 USB and PVR ready. Never used as we decided to go for another TV system. Price new 40.00, will accept 20.00 euros.
-Simple over door electric heater, never used and still in original packaging 10.00 euros
Paul, Torrox Park.
paul.bonnell172@gmail.com

For Sale, 3 items, reduced:
-Tv cabinet €45
-Coffee table €25
-Bookcase €45
We are in the Nerja area For more information please contact amandajosiah@hotmail.com or WhatsApp 680739577
Amanda, Frigiliana

News & Articles

(Click the link to read the full article)
{ Translations by www.DeepL.com/Translator }

COVID-19

Covid Andalucia- Andalucía incidence rate up to 224.8, adds 2,958 new infections and twelve Covid-19 deaths, the highest figure in two months:
-The Andalusian region has this Wednesday, 15 December, registered a total of 2,958 new coronavirus infections in 24 hours, some 337 fewer than those recorded on Tuesday.
-Added are twelve Covid-19 deaths, the highest number in two months after 13 people died from the disease on 8 October. The twelve deaths were registered in Seville province (five), Malaga (three), Cadiz (two) and Granada and Huelva (one each).
-This is detailed in the data produced by the Andalusian Institute of Statistics and Cartography (IECA), which reports that the region’s 14-day cumulative incidence rate has risen by 21.4 in 24 hours to reach 224.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, some 81.3 higher than a week ago.
Specifically, Seville is the province with the most new coronavirus infections with 779 cases, followed by Malaga with 543, Cordoba (364), Cadiz (360), Granada (284), Huelva (242), Jaén (208) and Almeria with 178. Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/andalucia-adds-2958-20211215175131-nt.html

Covid Axarquia- The Axarquia registered three deaths due to coronavirus in Rincón de la Victoria, after 36 days without deaths in the region: {Translation, summary} 15Dec21
-The Ministry reported 73 new cases of coronavirus infection in Axarquia in the last 24 hours. The number of infections is higher than the 54 confirmed on Tuesday and lower than the 125 reported on Monday, although in this case they correspond to the whole weekend.
-The worst news is that this Wednesday three deaths have been confirmed in the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria, which already has 45 deaths due to the virus since the beginning of the health crisis. The Axarquia region has thus broken a streak of 36 days without deaths. In addition, 47 people have also recovered from the disease.
-With regard to the new positives in the last 24 hours, the following have been reported: 32 in Vélez-Málaga; 15 in Rincón de la Victoria; 13 in Nerja; 6 in Colmenar; 5 in Torrox; and 2 in Cómpeta.
-As for the people who have overcome the disease, the following have been reported: 20 in Vélez-Málaga; 8 in Torrox; 7 in Rincón de la Victoria; 5 in Nerja; 3 in Periana; 2 in Algarrobo; and 1 each in Benamocarra and Cómpeta.
-The incidence in the Axarquia Health District (which includes Casabermeja) is at 248.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 19.4 points more than on Tuesday (229.2). For its part, in the Malaga Health District (which includes Rincon de la Victoria, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo and Totalan, in addition to Malaga city and Almogia) the incidence is 294.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 18 points more than Tuesday (276.7). Source, Spanish: https://www.axarquiaplus.es/la-axarquia-registra-tres-fallecidos-por-coronavirus-en-rincon-de-la-victoria-tras-36-dias-sin-decesos-en-la-comarca/

SPAIN

The price of electricity soars again on Thursday to a new all-time high of 302.48 euros/MWh: {Translation, summary}
-This Thursday, electricity will go up by 3.68% in just one day, while the rise reaches 39.5% compared to the same day a week ago. Compared to 16 December 2020, the increase is 513%, i.e. six times more.
-The maximum price of electricity for this Thursday will be between 20.00 and 21.00 hours, with 345 euros/MWh, while the minimum price will be 251.78 euros between 04.00 and 05.00 hours. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/economia/energia-00341/noticia-precio-luz-dispara-nuevo-jueves-nuevo-record-historico-30248-euros-mwh-20211215132329.html

The minimum retirement pension rises to 721 euros and the maximum to 2,819 euros: {Translation, summary}
-The 2.5% rise in contributory pensions in 2022 will bring the minimum retirement pension to 10,103.8 euros per year, 721.7 euros per month in 14 payments, while the maximum will be 39,468.6 euros per year, 2,819.1 euros per month.
-According to data provided on Wednesday by the Ministry of Inclusion and Social Security, the minimum pension with a dependent spouse will reach 12,467 euros per year, 890.5 euros per month.
-As for the average retirement pension, and with data from the last pension payroll paid in November, it would go from 1,194.9 euros per month to 1,224.7 euros, always taking into account the 14 payrolls that are paid with the summer and Christmas bonuses.
-Social Security recalls that contributory pensions will be revalued by 2.5% in 2022, the average of the consumer price index (CPI) between December 2020 and November 2021, a formula agreed in July with the social partners.
-In this way, the government recalls, it complies with the recommendation of the Toledo Pact and guarantees the purchasing power of pensions based on the evolution of the CPI. Source, Spanish: https://andaluciainformacion.es/andalucia/1015586/la-pension-minima-de-jubilacion-sube-a-721-euros-y-la-maxima-a-2819-euros/

The Canary Islands doubles the number of Covid infections in one day and exceeds the barrier of 1,200 new daily cases: The Islands have registered this Wednesday, December 15, about 1,207 new infections and have reported three deaths – two in Gran Canaria and one in Tenerife – due to the virus, as reported by the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands. Full article: https://spainsnews.com/the-canary-islands-doubles-the-number-of-covid-infections-in-one-day-and-exceeds-the-barrier-of-1200-cases/

ANDALUCIA

Court rejects Andalusian government’s bid to apply Covid passport rule to bars and restaurants: The region’s highest court – TSJA – considers that while the measure is necessary and appropriate, it fails to meet “proportionality” requirements, as it would have to be applied to everyone, including staff. It explains, therefore, that there is a chance for the regional government to request a ratification again, if the order is modified so it applies only to customers. (See the following article for the latest info on this topic.)
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/court-rejects-andalusian-20211215155922-nt.html

The Junta de Andalucía will reapply for the covid passport for hotel, restaurant and nightlife customers after the TSJA setback: {Translation, summary} 15/12/2021 21:13
-The Ministry of Health and Families will once again request the implementation of the covid passport to enter the interior of hotel, restaurant and nightlife establishments after the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) refused to authorize this measure to stop the increase in contagions.
-They announced this Wednesday in the plenary session of Parliament that they will present the “corrected” petition to the TSJA again as soon as possible for reconsideration.
-Once the TSJA approves the modified order the COVID certificate will become an essential safe-conduct to access the interior of hospitality or nightlife in Andalusia.
-Once the standard is published in the Official Gazette of the Junta de Andalucía (BOJA), which may be the same day it is ratified, its application will be immediate. In Andalusia, the vaccination passport, a recent negative PCR test or the certificate of having passed the disease is mandatory before entering hospitals and residences.
Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-junta-andalucia-insistira-pasaporte-covid-para-clientes-bares-tras-reves-tsja-202112152058_noticia.html

In the middle of the biggest internet hack in decades Andalucia signs agreement to eventually turn over control of all it’s data to Amazon, Microsoft & Google!?!: {Translation, summary}
-The Andalusian government and Amazon have signed an agreement to promote training in cloud technologies and the digital transformation of the region. The regional government wants to ally itself with Amazon – and also with Google and Microsoft.
-As the Andalusian government explained in a statement, the aim of this protocol is to promote digitalisation and innovation in the community.
-The ultimate focus of the Junta’s plan on cloud work and the agreement with Amazon has the administration at its centre. The Andalusian government wants to take advantage of the cloud options throughout it’s operations, and the first department to try it out will be the Regional Ministry of Education and Sport. (With all the students confidential information stored in the insecure cloud no doubt. What could go wrong?) Source, Spanish: https://sevilla.abc.es/andalucia/sevi-andalucia-muda-nube-junta-firma-amazon-acuerdo-para-digitalizar-economia-202112151952_noticia.html

Andalusia asks the government to make face masks compulsory outdoors again: {Translation}
-The Andalusian Regional Government has asked the Ministry of Health on Wednesday to make the use of masks outdoors compulsory again, given the increase in the number of coronavirus infections, especially during the current period of multiple celebrations due to the arrival of Christmas.
-This was requested by the Andalusian Regional Minister of Health and Families, Jesús Aguirre, at the meeting held this Wednesday of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, where the central government and communities analyse the pandemic situation and take decisions.
-At the end of the meeting, Aguirre gave an account of this request from Andalusia to the plenary session of Parliament and justified it in the fact that we are already “immersed in the sixth wave” of the coronavirus pandemic, with a daily increase in cases, although in Andalusia the incidence rate per 100,000 inhabitants is still below the national rate. Source, Spanish: https://www.granadadigital.es/andalucia-pide-mascarilla-exteriores-obligatoria/

Michelin stars in Andalucía- these are the restaurants that shine in the 2022 awards guide: Malaga province remains at the head of the table in the Andalucía region after a glittering awards ceremony for the Michelin Guide Spain & Portugal 2022 on Tuesday night, 14 December.
The province boasts nine Michelin stars with the new one for Nintai in Marbella that enters the prestigious dining guide just nine months after opening, in addition to the two stars, each, that Skina (Marbella) and Bardal (Ronda) already hold and those of José Carlos García in Malaga, El Lago and Messina in Marbella, and Sollo in Fuengirola, all of them with one star.
The Andalusian region total remains at 22 stars, as Alejandro (Roquetas de Mar) and Acanthum (Huelva) lost theirs (the latter by closing) and the Seville restaurant Cañabota gained one, the only other new star in the rest of the region
Full article: https://www.surinenglish.com/andalucia/michelin-stars-andalucia-20211215094908-nt.html

UK

UK reports highest number of daily Covid cases since the pandemic began: The U.K. reported a record number of new daily Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, with 78,610 in the last 24 hours. The figure was an increase from 59,610 the day before, and it surpasses the previous high of 68,053 cases reported on Jan. 8. Full article:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/15/uk-reports-highest-number-of-daily-covid-cases-since-pandemic-began.html

EUROPE

Italy Imposes Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Requirement for All EU Travellers, Extends State of Emergency: European Union nationals travelling to Italy will have to test for COVID-19 before their trip and present negative test results upon arrival in Italy, regardless of their vaccination and recovery status.
The move was taken on Tuesday, December 14, in a meeting of the Italian Council of Ministers, who also agreed that travellers from other EU and Schengen Area countries should be subject to the obligation of quarantine in cases when they haven’t been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19. Full article: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/italy-imposes-pre-departure-covid-19-test-requirement-for-all-eu-travellers-extends-state-of-emergency/

SPORTS

Premier League cancel another game after COVID outbreak:
The Premier League postponed Burnley’s game against Watford on Wednesday after a COVID-19 outbreak in the visiting team as the possibility of festive fixture chaos loomed.
Earlier on Wednesday, Leicester City said they had a request to postpone Thursday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur rejected by the league, as English football continues to face potential disruption from the spread of COVID and the Omicron variant. Full article: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/premier-league-refuse-leicester-postponement-request-covid-cases-rise-2021-12-15/

OTHER

Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine produced virtually no antibody protection against the omicron coronavirus variant in a laboratory experiment: The findings are consistent with other studies that show a partial loss of potency against Covid-19 for a number of vaccines, with J&J’s antibody protection looking particularly weak in the lab test. Full article: https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/j-j-shot-shows-no-neutralization-against-omicron-in-lab-study

COVID Mobility Restrictions Info Reference

https://www.mapacovid.es/

For the latest COVID-19 statistics visit:

World– https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Coronavirus Cases in Andalucia, Axarquia, Costa del Sol & Malaga Province:
http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/salud/COVID19.html

UK Coronavirus:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/uk/

A Spanish gov’t site in English with travel docs & requirements info:
https://www.spth.gob.es/

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Useful Links, Info & Numbers

Taxi
Nerja 952 524 519
Torrox: 952 531 030
Frigiliana: 952 533 231

Phone numbers for emergencies
Emergency Svcs.: 112
National Police: 091
Guardia Civil: 062
Ambulance: 061
Fire Station (Bomberos): 080
Emergency English Help Line: 902 102 112

Local Police
Torrox: 952 539 828
Nerja: 952 521 545
Frigiliana: 952 533 126
Torre del Mar: 952 549 238

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